LOCAL farmers across the O.R. Tambo District recently benefited from a rams exchange programme, where 270 Duhne Merino rams have been distributed across the district.
This is an ongoing O.R. Tambo District Municipality-funded rams exchange programme, which is being rolled out to the rest of the district with the aim of improving wool production and farmers’ access to high yield breeds of rams.
Through the initiative, Ntinga O.R. Tambo Development Agency, as the implementing agency of the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, ensured that local farmers were benefiting from the district-wide wool improvement programme.
Sheep farmers and wool growers across the district gained from this important and high impact programme, aiming at the genetic improvement of communal wool sheep flocks. The majority of local farmers around the district have benefited from this programme and expressed gratitude to government for its involvement in sheep farming.
Communal livestock farming is one the world’s oldest farming systems and is associated with improved household food security in poverty-stricken areas. Sheep farming plays a significant role in poverty eradication, especially in the Eastern Cape.
Speaking on behalf of Ntinga O.R. Tambo Development Agency, acting CEO, Loyiso Mbiko, highlighted the importance of sheep farming and how it contributed towards the red meat value chain across the district.
“The exchanged rams have the potential to adapt to the harsh conditions of the Eastern Cape, with minimal maintenance costs. Moreover, the communal sheep taken in exchange from the local farmers will be fattened and taken to Umzikantu Red Meat Abattoir for slaughtering. Sheep farming plays an important role in the local economy and red meat value chain in the district,” said Mbiko.
He further articulated that all the strides that have been made were in line with the National Development Plan (Chapter 6), which points out that there is a need to revive and mainstream communal agriculture.
Konaye Sitofile, a member of the executive committee of the Libode Woolgrowers Association, commended the O.R. Tambo District Municipality, as well as Ntinga, for this initiative. He also highlighted that their sheep flocks had poor quality wool, and this programme would assist them in improving their flocks and the quality of wool they produce, as local farmers.
Socio-economic challenges, such as a lack of job opportunities and poverty in the communities of O.R. Tambo District, are notable, which is why the government is attempting to revive communal agriculture.
