KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (KZNDARD) opens a window of economic opportunity for communal farmers
One of the main objectives of the Agrarian Reform and Transformation strategy is for agriculture to become a science and a business. This is exactly what transpired yesterday at Enyokeni Royal Palace in Nongoma. His Majesty the King Goodwill Zwelithini in partnership with KZNDARD held the first ever farmer’s day and livestock auction focusing on a special breed of indigenous cattle the Boran.
Here [we] saw over 118 cattle go on sale with 16 thoroughbred Boran, 30 crossbreeds, and about 60 Nguni cows. A total of 74 of His Majesty’s cattle went under the hammer leaving just little below 44.
The participation mostly by communal farmers proved to be pivotal in instilling the culture of economic participation in the sector. Mr Simon Nxumalo, a cattle farmer from Mandlakazi, Nongoma, was very happy and inspired after he purchased 7 cows for a total of R50 000 and said “Today marks a date in history where we saw black farmers for the first time actively and meaningfully participate in this type of auction. Government is truly hearing the concerns of the people, today I’m a successful farmer through some of the interventions by our government” he said.
Such programmes are used as tools for the introduction of the Genetic Livestock Improvement programme, which will see indigenous breeds like the Boran being introduced to communities to bring a competitive edge to communal farmers for an enhanced economic participation.
MEC Cyril Xaba urged farmers in the province to participate in these kinds of activities and said “such events are information sharing session where you are able to close the gap between the emerging and commercial sector, it’s very positive to see a lot of young black farmers actively engaging, this proves there is a future for agriculture in the province” he said.
This event was declared by the MEC to be an annual event where farmers from throughout the province will participate on a year on year basis.
For more information please contact:
Lelethu Manentsa (KZN DARD)
Cell: 071 492 5716
E-mail: lelethu01@gmail.com
