JOHANNESBURG - In an effort aimed at establishing successful Nguni stud cattle breeders in Gauteng, Agriculture MEC Lebogang Maile yesterday handed over Nguni heifers and bulls to black emerging farmers on the East Rand.
Maile’s spokesperson, Castro Ngobese, said this was part of the Gauteng provincial government’s flagship Nguni Cattle Project.
The project, he explained, was aimed at developing more black farmers through the breeding of Nguni cattle. It involves loaning 30 pregnant Nguni heifers and one one bull to interested and qualifying emerging farmers, “specifically targeting historically disadvantaged farmers”.
Ngobese said: “Currently 486 Nguni cattle are in the hands of beneficiaries as a result of this ground-breaking initiative.
"A key outcome expectation is establishing successful Nguni stud cattle breeders in the province, and empowering farmers through the deployment of modern technologies which contributes towards better herd health and husbandry management.” He said the project was also focused on facilitating market access.