Black Farmers Loaned Native South African Cattle
SOUTH AFRICA – A five year lease and return scheme has been launched by a regional council to assist black farmers into the livestock sector.
8 May 2015
1 minute read
A black farming community will be loaned 30 pregnant Nguni heifers and a bull, which is hoped to have a knock on effect on agri-foods and processing industries in the Gauteng region.
Once the loan period is up, farmers are expected to return the same number of cattle from offspring or an equivalent value.
Noted for their high fertility, longevity and grazing ability, the Nguni heifers are hoped to result in a niche organic market, with a view to shipping product overseas.
The strategy is to make the area a ‘hub’ for agro-processing and business, said government minister, Lebogang Maile.
He said: “Our investment in livestock farming will have long-term multiplier effects on other sectors of the economy such as the manufacturing of hides and leather products.”
He stressed monitoring and training programmes were necessary to ensure success from the initiative.
TheCattleSite News Desk
