 |
The success of this Project depends largely on the provision of extension services, training of livestock managers and project management.
A unique project aimed at
reintroducing the Nguni Cattle Breed
into selected rural communities in six
provinces, with the long term objective
of developing an international niche
market for organically produced Nguni
beef, is beginning to bear fruit.
The Nguni is indigenous to Southern
Africa and is known for its high fertility,
short calving intervals and long
reproductive lifespan. It is tolerant to
tropical diseases as well as internal and
external parasites, and is also highly
adaptable to poor quality grazing and
conditions of excessive heat and
humidity. This adaptability provides the
Nguni with the unique potential to
produce high quality meat and hides
under ecologically controlled free
ranging conditions without the use of
chemicals. |
|
The IDC originally approved a grant
facility of R45 million for the
implementation of the Nguni Cattle
Project which involves the
establishment of nucleus registered
Nguni Herds in communal villages over
a period of five years. Each community,
defined as black households, black
individuals and/or newly established
black farmers, receives pregnant Nguni
heifers and Nguni bulls to make up a
nucleus herds in each of the recipient
communities. The Project engages
traditional farmers in the breeding and
conservation of indigenous livestock.
All members of the participating
communities, including livestock
owners, are involved in the concept of
“passing on the gift” where
communities are required to return 10
heifers and two bulls from the offspring
within five years. The communities get
involved in all the different phases of
the project planning through
Participatory Rural Appraisal.
The success of this Project depends
largely on the provision of extension
services, training of livestock managers
and project management. This is critical
in order to ensure that purebred Nguni
retains its genetic value through
accurate administration of registered
animals. To this end, partnership is
forged with tertiary institutions and
Provincial Departments of Agriculture
who offer these services in their
respective provinces.
So, how is the project progressing?
Since its original conception in 2004,
the project has now been successfully
launched in four provinces
commencing with the Eastern Cape.
Limpopo and North West provinces
launched in February 2006, whilst the
Northern Cape introduced their project
in June 2006. The remaining two
provinces, the Free State and
Mpumalanga, are anticipating
launching their projects later this year.
|
