By Siphiwe Nyathi
Mbombela - Emerging livestock farmers in Mpumalanga have two weeks to apply for help from the Livestock Improvement Programme.
The programme is part of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration's Masibuyele Esibayeni (back to the kraal) initiative.
"The application process will close on September 20 and we urge our emerging farmers to apply," said department spokesperson Bheki Nyathikazi.
He said the programme seeks to improve food security, community upliftment, rural development and agrarian reform as part of the Zero Hunger Strategy.
Breeding stock is loaned to certain farmers for either five years in the case of large stock or three years in the case of small stock.
Successful applicants will receive one performance bull and 25 pregnant heifers, one dairy bull and 50 dairy cows, one male goat and 25 females, one ram and 25 ewes, and one boar and 10 sows.
“The equivalent number of livestock that were provided initially shall be returned in a form of offspring to the department for further expansion of the programme to other potential farmers,” Nyathikazi said.
He said cooperatives will be given first preference, while farmers and/or cooperatives with adjacent land that amounts to the required hectares are also encouraged to apply.
“The basic requirements for participating in the project are that sufficient land of 350 ha for large stock and 150 ha for small stock should be available to accommodate livestock numbers at the recommended rate.
"For dairy, there must be a milking parlour available and pigs must have pig houses,” said Nyathikazi.
He said applicants must be in possession of certified proof indicating ownership, lease rights or use right of the land for the duration of the project.
He said farms with rudimentary infrastructure such as fencing, water troughs and loading zone among others will be an added advantage.
Application forms may be accessed from all the agricultural municipal offices in each municipality and district offices through the agricultural advisors.
Farmers must register with breeders associations. - SAnews.gov.za
