EASTERN Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has hailed the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) livestock improvement programme, saying “it is a great initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic status of the Province.”
Mabuyane was speaking during the handover of livestock including 65 cattle (Brahaman and Nguni breeds), 10 Dohne Merino sheep and10 Boer Goats to three red meat producers from Matatiele at an event held at the Stanford Farm where he was accompanying DRDAR MEC Nomakhosazana Meth as part of his executive visit to the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
“Agriculture is key in the province’s economic development, hence DRDAR’s initiatives in improving the livestock of farmers should be applauded.
“Government is here to support farmers to do more and we will continue to assist farmers that are working the land,” he said.
MEC Meth said the department’s programme, where farmers receive from 15 to 20 heifers as well a bull or two, was “aimed at commercialisation of smallholder livestock farmers.”
“We are saying to the farmers, let us work together to commercialise and create our own wealth through farming.
“By giving these quality livestock we are empowering you,” she said.
The MEC added that in last financial year, DRDAR has distributed about 400 heifers and bulls and “we will be doing the same this year.”
She said as part of the broader livestock development plan, DRDAR will assist with the provision of water through supplying of 62 boreholes and scooping of about 200 stock water dams.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, John Lekhatlanya the owner of the Stanford Farm who received 20 Brahman heifers and 2 bulls, said: “I am out of words to express how we feel.”
“We are excited, happy and in a jovial mood today as we did not expect this. This shows that our government is working hard to ensure that we prosper as emerging black farmers.
“I want to assure both the Premier and the MEC that we will continue to do more and we understand the importance of farming and its contribution to the economic growth of the province,” Lekhatlanya said.
Livestock-improvement-program
EASTERN Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has hailed the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) livestock improvement programme, saying “it is a great initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic status of the Province.”
Mabuyane was speaking during the handover of livestock including 65 cattle (Brahaman and Nguni breeds), 10 Dohne Merino sheep and10 Boer Goats to three red meat producers from Matatiele at an event held at the Stanford Farm where he was accompanying DRDAR MEC Nomakhosazana Meth as part of his executive visit to the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
“Agriculture is key in the province’s economic development, hence DRDAR’s initiatives in improving the livestock of farmers should be applauded.
“Government is here to support farmers to do more and we will continue to assist farmers that are working the land,” he said.
MEC Meth said the department’s programme, where farmers receive from 15 to 20 heifers as well a bull or two, was “aimed at commercialisation of smallholder livestock farmers.”
“We are saying to the farmers, let us work together to commercialise and create our own wealth through farming.
“By giving these quality livestock we are empowering you,” she said.
The MEC added that in last financial year, DRDAR has distributed about 400 heifers and bulls and “we will be doing the same this year.”
She said as part of the broader livestock development plan, DRDAR will assist with the provision of water through supplying of 62 boreholes and scooping of about 200 stock water dams.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, John Lekhatlanya the owner of the Stanford Farm who received 20 Brahman heifers and 2 bulls, said: “I am out of words to express how we feel.”
“We are excited, happy and in a jovial mood today as we did not expect this. This shows that our government is working hard to ensure that we prosper as emerging black farmers.
“I want to assure both the Premier and the MEC that we will continue to do more and we understand the importance of farming and its contribution to the economic growth of the province,” Lekhatlanya said.