By Simthandile Ponti
GCBR’s Smallholder Farmer Extension Officer, Simthandile Ponti, hosted a training program for smallholder farmers in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) – Animal Institute from February 10th to 15th. The primary goal of the training was to assist smallholder farmers in selecting suitable livestock breeds for their enterprises and to emphasise the importance of record-keeping, which is essential for successful livestock management. Additionally, the training aimed to help farmers evaluate their management practices and make necessary adjustments.
The ARC has a scheme called Kaonafatso ya Dikgomu and it is implemented in terms of the Animal Improvement Act (Act 62 of 1998). This initiative serves as a special-purpose vehicle designed to integrate smallholder farmers into mainstream livestock industries. The recent training took place in Riversdale, Slangrivier, Melkhoutfontein, Albertinia, and Heidelberg, attracting 45 smallholder farmers already engaged in cattle farming for beef production.
During the informative and practical training the following topics were covered:
- Record keeping and animal identification
- Improving cattle quality through proper management
- Livestock theft
- Economic benefits and market access opportunities
The KyD scheme offers smallholder farmers access to science-based livestock management practices, including animal husbandry, health care, veld condition assessment, and market access strategies. By adopting the KyD scheme, farmers can enhance their herd productivity, minimise financial losses, and improve market access through better livestock management practices. This initiative not only benefits individual farmers but also contributes to the overall growth and sustainability of the smallholder livestock industry.
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable agriculture, the Gouritz Cluster Biosphere Reserve (GCBR) continues to support smallholder farmers through training, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives. By fostering collaboration between farmers, researchers, and industry stakeholders, GCBR aims to promote resilient and environmentally sustainable farming practices that benefit both people and nature.
References
Clack, W. (2023). An Analysis of Livestock Theft in South Africa (2013-2023): Towards a Deeper Understanding of Livestock Dynamics for Enhanced Countermeasures. International Journal of Rural Criminology, 8(3), 336-371.
