Infrastructure, livestock a game changer for Somerset East farmer

Siphiwo Yose, the owner of Karkotsraal farm portion A in Somerset East, received livestock, infrastructure and land care support service from the Eastern Cape department of rural development and agrarian reform as part of an ongoing programme to commercialise agriculture in the province.

As part of the livestock improvement programme, MEC Nonkqubela Pieters announced that R8.7m was set aside for the distribution of 350 cattle, 800 sheep and 150 goats to farmers across the province.

“The department delivered 10 Hereford heifers through the livestock improvement programme, which sees farmers supplied with high-breed livestock to improve the genetics of their animals so these can be marketable; installed a stock water system on the farm with water tanks; provided fencing for 10km of boundary and internal camps; [provided] a mobile kraal and implemented the land care programme by removing invasive plants.”

The farm employed 22 people to assist with the installation of a stock water system and removal of invasive plants, while four other people were employed to assist with fencing off land parcels on the farm.

Speaking during a visit by Pieters to his farm as part of monitoring and evaluation of work done by the department, Yose said he was grateful for the investment as it gave his business a shot in the arm.

“Farming is not easy, it needs dedication and a willingness to learn new things every day.

“The support from the department has played a big role in developing us as farmers.

“We want to see other farmers being able stand on their own,” Yose said.

Having started with only one heifer, which he had bought from his father, Yose said from then on he focused on growing his business, and had never looked back.

His herd has since grown to 80 cattle.

Pieters encouraged farmers to continue their good work and look after the livestock provided to them by the department.

She also encouraged farmers to involve their children so the next generation might also venture into farming to ensure continuity of the business.