by Olwetu Batyi | Sep 21, 2020 | atp1
Deputy Minister Skwatsha visits Eastern Cape farms
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha accompanied by Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth visited three farms in the Amathole District yesterday
The DM is in province engaging in a week-long visit that see him and the MEC visiting farmers that also include Chris Hani and OR Tambo.
The visit covered Hopewell , Sunnyside in East London and Woodburn farms in Alice where he met communities, farmers and he listened to their complaints .
In two separate meetings held with community from Witney, Goodhope and Woodburn farms and the family owning Woodburn, DM stressed that “all issues raised should be solved harmoniously.”
The DM visited the farm following the “escalation of the challenges” through a letter submitted to him by MEC Meth after she visited the community and the farmers in March.
“We don’t want to be here next year and not come with solutions. We will be bringing solutions here.
” What should happen here is land rights enquiry. We humbly ask you to allow our officials to do that process first so that this matter is solved solved within no time ,” he said.
MEC Meth echoing DM’s commitment in responding to people’s needs said: “We have come here to listen to you don’t think that nothing will happen. Don’t despair and don’t look down at this visit, as government will assist you.”
The bone of contention is between the Gxothiwe family and the descendants of farm workers who claim the land occupied by the Gxothiwe’s belong to them but this is being disputed by the Gxothiwe’s.
by Olwetu Batyi | Sep 21, 2020 | atp1
EASTERN Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has hailed the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) livestock improvement programme, saying “it is a great initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic status of the Province.”
Mabuyane was speaking during the handover of livestock including 65 cattle (Brahaman and Nguni breeds), 10 Dohne Merino sheep and10 Boer Goats to three red meat producers from Matatiele at an event held at the Stanford Farm where he was accompanying DRDAR MEC Nomakhosazana Meth as part of his executive visit to the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
“Agriculture is key in the province’s economic development, hence DRDAR’s initiatives in improving the livestock of farmers should be applauded.
“Government is here to support farmers to do more and we will continue to assist farmers that are working the land,” he said.
MEC Meth said the department’s programme, where farmers receive from 15 to 20 heifers as well a bull or two, was “aimed at commercialisation of smallholder livestock farmers.”
“We are saying to the farmers, let us work together to commercialise and create our own wealth through farming.
“By giving these quality livestock we are empowering you,” she said.
The MEC added that in last financial year, DRDAR has distributed about 400 heifers and bulls and “we will be doing the same this year.”
She said as part of the broader livestock development plan, DRDAR will assist with the provision of water through supplying of 62 boreholes and scooping of about 200 stock water dams.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, John Lekhatlanya the owner of the Stanford Farm who received 20 Brahman heifers and 2 bulls, said: “I am out of words to express how we feel.”
“We are excited, happy and in a jovial mood today as we did not expect this. This shows that our government is working hard to ensure that we prosper as emerging black farmers.
“I want to assure both the Premier and the MEC that we will continue to do more and we understand the importance of farming and its contribution to the economic growth of the province,” Lekhatlanya said.
by Olwetu Batyi | Sep 21, 2020 | atp1
MEC announces plans to provide water for livestock
By Thozi kaManyisana
LIVESTOCK farmers in three villages in the Alfred Nzo District can breathe a sigh of relief after the MEC for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth announced that the Department allocated R1.6million for the provision of water through boreholes.
Speaking to the community of Ngonyameni village in Ntabankulu Local Municipality where one of the boreholes will be drilled, MEC said water was an “essential” part for livestock farmers to thrive.
“As government we took a decision to provide water to the livestock farmers in the province . We are encouraging farmers to produce and sell in order to fight poverty. We are here to support that call,”
Meth said the 6th administration is committed to provide boreholes, revamping and building new stock water dams.
She said in the Alfred Nzo District, where Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane accompanied by his executive are visiting, the Department will spend R1,6 million to supply boreholes to three areas, including Ngonyameni Village.
Through the Department’s Rural Appropriate Technology Unit, Spring water was provided at Goxe and Matyeni villages. The water is sourced from springs, channelled through pipes from the mountains, stored in a reservoir and accessed through taps in the villages.
Speaking on behalf of the visibly elated farmers, Mandlakayise Jeke, chairperson of the farmers’ union in the area said: “The community is excited about this development as it brings about change because water is scarce in this area.”
“We want to thank government for this commitment. As farmers, we will do more to ensure we produce quality livestock,” Jeke said.
Meth also advised rural farmers to “be united and have strong unions in order to apply for quality livestock from the department” on its livestock improvement programme.
by Olwetu Batyi | Sep 21, 2020 | atp1
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC yesterday met with livestock export company Al- Mawashi together with farmers from the Eastern Cape ahead of the export of 56 000 live sheep and cattle to Kuwait.
The celebratory meeting took place just days after the Grahamstown High Court ruled in favour of Al-Mawashi in a National Council of SPCAs court challenge which delayed the export of the live animals. Upon granting Al-Mawashi permission to export the animals, the court ordered that the DRDAR must monitor the initial transportation of the animals, and ensure that they will be treated in accordance with prescripts for the transport of animals by sea. Soon after the court order, DRDAR dispatched its Animal Health experts to inspect the sheep to ensure that they ready for the journey.
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth congratulated Al Mawashi on the court victory saying the partnership is set to benefit emerging farmers in the province. She said the Department will engage Al-Mawashi on “further farmer development programmes”
Ilyaas Ally, Al Mawashi Managing Director said the partnership would not only benefit animal production but would further improve “cognate industries like feed and transport” in South Africa.
“The growing live export industry has provided access to sustainable international markets for the red meat producers from rural areas” Ally added
He further indicated that the first shipment in September 2019 saw 8% of sheep being sourced from non- commercial farmers and this figure increased to 14% during the March 2020 and in this new shipment, the company received 22% of their livestock from emerging farmers.
The company also announced that the addition of around 800 cattle will be part of the load outbound to the Middle East.
“Working together with government and through empowerment initiatives such as the off-take agreements entered into with emerging farmers, Al-Mawashi is committed to realisation of transformed agricultural industry that will enable inclusive economic growth and reshape the socio-economic outlook of the Eastern Cape Province,” added Ally.
He further said that the company prides itself of their track record for abiding and exceeding international live export standards. “Animal welfare is the cornerstone of our operations and we go out of way to ensure that the animals are treated in the human way throughout our exporting procedures” said Ally.
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC yesterday met with livestock export company Al- Mawashi together with farmers from the Eastern Cape ahead of the export of 56 000 live sheep and cattle to Kuwait.
The celebratory meeting took place just days after the Grahamstown High Court ruled in favour of Al-Mawashi in a National Council of SPCAs court challenge which delayed the export of the live animals. Upon granting Al-Mawashi permission to export the animals, the court ordered that the DRDAR must monitor the initial transportation of the animals, and ensure that they will be treated in accordance with prescripts for the transport of animals by sea. Soon after the court order, DRDAR dispatched its Animal Health experts to inspect the sheep to ensure that they ready for the journey.
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth congratulated Al Mawashi on the court victory saying the partnership is set to benefit emerging farmers in the province. She said the Department will engage Al-Mawashi on “further farmer development programmes”
Ilyaas Ally, Al Mawashi Managing Director said the partnership would not only benefit animal production but would further improve “cognate industries like feed and transport” in South Africa.
“The growing live export industry has provided access to sustainable international markets for the red meat producers from rural areas” Ally added
He further indicated that the first shipment in September 2019 saw 8% of sheep being sourced from non- commercial farmers and this figure increased to 14% during the March 2020 and in this new shipment, the company received 22% of their livestock from emerging farmers.
The company also announced that the addition of around 800 cattle will be part of the load outbound to the Middle East.
“Working together with government and through empowerment initiatives such as the off-take agreements entered into with emerging farmers, Al-Mawashi is committed to realisation of transformed agricultural industry that will enable inclusive economic growth and reshape the socio-economic outlook of the Eastern Cape Province,” added Ally.
He further said that the company prides itself of their track record for abiding and exceeding international live expot standards. “Animal welfare is the cornerstone of our operations and we go out of way to ensure that the animals are treated in the human way throughout our exporting procedures” said Ally.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme Zuko Fazzie (39) an emerging livestock producer from Chris Hani said: “We are excited that our livestock is going to Middle East and we are inviting other farmers to join us in this open market and reap the benefits as there is a huge demand for livestock in the Middle East
One of the beneficiaries of the programme Zuko Fazzie (39) an emerging livestock producer from Chris Hani said: “We are excited that our livestock is going to Middle East and we are inviting other farmers to join us in this open market and reap the benefits as there is a huge demand for livestock in the Middle East”
by Olwetu Batyi | Sep 21, 2020 | atp1
DRDAR MEC handsover multi-purpose shed to grain producers in Alfred Nzo
By Thozi kaManyisana
MEC for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Nomakhosazana Meth officially handed over a multi-purpose shed to three co-operatives at Lugelweni village in Mzimvubu Local Municipality.
The three co-ops under Ngqulusini Secondary co-op are involved in grain production on farmland located along the N2 towards Mt Ayliff.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the R840-000 structure, MEC Meth said government wanted to restore the dignity of rural people by motivating them to utilise land which she referred to as their “gold mine”.
“I want to encourage you as farmers to produce more than you do now. We should be producing our own fresh food, so that we can create jobs,” she said.
Meth also lamented the theft of people’s produce and the fence provided by the government, urging communities to “work together to fight this.”
Mzimvubu Mayor Khulile Mnukwa said the municipality should link their agro-tourism strategy with what DRDAR was doing.
“We should link our agro-tourism with what DRDAR is doing. Tourists should invest in the agricultural activities happening here. We need to build tourism structures that will be linked to farmers.
DRDAR coordinator in the Mzimvubu LM Lulama Ntanjana, said DRDAR also provided fencing of arable land for the project.
She said in the 2018/19 the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development brought implements, including tractors that were “placed here at
Ngqulusini Secondary Coop because it is doing well.”
Ntanjana said this year, DRDAR would purchase seeds for the project while the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development will provide fertilizer with farmers contributing with diesel and payment of tractor drivers.
Chairperson of Lugelweni co-op Nomathemba Mbangi said the assistance from government “triggered more farmers to join as they started to see value in farming. We are going stronger as we are now ploughing 120ha. In our vision we want to reach 180 ha, which is the full size of our fields.” she said.
by Olwetu Batyi | Sep 7, 2020 | atp1
Investor to transform Mantusini Dairy into processing plant
THE investor –Cream Top- roped in by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform to turn around the dire situation at the sinking Mantusini Dairy farm has hit the ground running.
The Mantusini Dairy Trust Farm situated in Port St Johns was established by more than 450 Mantusini villagers in 2005. However, it failed to take off, mainly due to a lack of funding. The national department of Rural Development and Land Reform saw potential in the project and pumped in millions of rands in investment to give the business that stood to benefit hundreds of villagers a foothold.
Almost two decades later the dairy farm has found itself heading back to its stages of infancy. Only three months ago Mantusini Dairy farm made news headlines where it was reported that it was on a brink of closing shop. This was due to shortage of feed which saw the business losing an average 53 dairy cows each month due to hunger. This affected the business badly as the amount of milk produced by the cows dwindled by hundreds of litres. Due to this challenge the farm that supplied its fresh milk to dairy processors like SUNDALE and Clover couldn’t meet its targets resulting in loss of profit.
Currently the farm produces 300 litres of milk a day from its 78 milking cows with each cow producing only 4 litres due to starvation. The total herd of the farm is 348 cows which consists of 48 calves, 227 pregnant cows and 43 pregnant heifers.
In response to these news, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth moved swiftly to rescue the situation.
On Saturday (September 5), after a busy week of handing over livestock to red meat farmers in the Alfred Nzo District as part of DRDARD’s livestock improvement programme, Meth officially introduced Cream Top to the Mantusini Dairy trustees as the rescuer.
“Our government has invested a lot in this project for us to back down now. We will rally behind the Mantusini Dairy and the community until we see it impacting positively on the lives of local people by eradicating poverty through job creation and inspire more businesses like this one. Today we say you aren’t alone,” said Meth.
She emphasized that the department would monitor the business closely so to avoid mismanagement of resources. During the introduction of the investor, Meth also handed over a portion of a 100-ton livestock feed to the farm.
As the first step to rescue the situation, Sihle Ntuli of Cream Top said since last week they stopped milking of the cows with immediate effect and focused on first feeding the cows to avoid further mortalities.
“The dairy farm is sitting on a red light. The first step is to save the cattle and then work on resolving the infrastructural challenges,” he said.
Ntuli said they would plant more feed while constructing a dairy processing plant on the side which would see the farm producing raw products and processing them into finished tertiary products without the use of a middleman.
“We are not a charity. We are here to do business and the processing plant will see us milking cows, processing, packaging and branding it as products ready for the market,” he said.
He said turning things around at the farm would take them a period of three months.
“ Vets have checked the wellbeing of the cows as we speak. At the same time, we will be working on Human Resource issues which include the salaries of workers that weren’t paid for the past three months and we expect them to be disbursed into the accounts of employees ,” he added.
Mantusini employs 18 staffers which include the management.
The two parties –Mantusini Dairy Farm and Cream Top- have entered on a profit share agreement (PFA). Due to this form of contract, Ntuli said the people of Mantusini would continue owning 100% of the business but they would share the profits.
Manager at the farm, Oscar Nzimande said they were looking forward to working with Cream Top.
“What I have realised is that we have a common goal and vision with the investor and because of this I believe the partnership is going to yield positive results for both parties,” he said.
Deputy Minister Skwatsha visits Eastern Cape farms
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Mcebisi Skhwatsha accompanied by Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC Nomakhosazana Meth visited three farms in the Amathole District yesterday
The DM is in province engaging in a week-long visit that see him and the MEC visiting farmers that also include Chris Hani and OR Tambo.
The visit covered Hopewell , Sunnyside in East London and Woodburn farms in Alice where he met communities, farmers and he listened to their complaints .
In two separate meetings held with community from Witney, Goodhope and Woodburn farms and the family owning Woodburn, DM stressed that “all issues raised should be solved harmoniously.”
The DM visited the farm following the “escalation of the challenges” through a letter submitted to him by MEC Meth after she visited the community and the farmers in March.
“We don’t want to be here next year and not come with solutions. We will be bringing solutions here.
” What should happen here is land rights enquiry. We humbly ask you to allow our officials to do that process first so that this matter is solved solved within no time ,” he said.
MEC Meth echoing DM’s commitment in responding to people’s needs said: “We have come here to listen to you don’t think that nothing will happen. Don’t despair and don’t look down at this visit, as government will assist you.”
The bone of contention is between the Gxothiwe family and the descendants of farm workers who claim the land occupied by the Gxothiwe’s belong to them but this is being disputed by the Gxothiwe’s.
EASTERN Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has hailed the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) livestock improvement programme, saying “it is a great initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic status of the Province.”
Mabuyane was speaking during the handover of livestock including 65 cattle (Brahaman and Nguni breeds), 10 Dohne Merino sheep and10 Boer Goats to three red meat producers from Matatiele at an event held at the Stanford Farm where he was accompanying DRDAR MEC Nomakhosazana Meth as part of his executive visit to the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.
“Agriculture is key in the province’s economic development, hence DRDAR’s initiatives in improving the livestock of farmers should be applauded.
“Government is here to support farmers to do more and we will continue to assist farmers that are working the land,” he said.
MEC Meth said the department’s programme, where farmers receive from 15 to 20 heifers as well a bull or two, was “aimed at commercialisation of smallholder livestock farmers.”
“We are saying to the farmers, let us work together to commercialise and create our own wealth through farming.
“By giving these quality livestock we are empowering you,” she said.
The MEC added that in last financial year, DRDAR has distributed about 400 heifers and bulls and “we will be doing the same this year.”
She said as part of the broader livestock development plan, DRDAR will assist with the provision of water through supplying of 62 boreholes and scooping of about 200 stock water dams.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, John Lekhatlanya the owner of the Stanford Farm who received 20 Brahman heifers and 2 bulls, said: “I am out of words to express how we feel.”
“We are excited, happy and in a jovial mood today as we did not expect this. This shows that our government is working hard to ensure that we prosper as emerging black farmers.
“I want to assure both the Premier and the MEC that we will continue to do more and we understand the importance of farming and its contribution to the economic growth of the province,” Lekhatlanya said.
MEC announces plans to provide water for livestock
By Thozi kaManyisana
LIVESTOCK farmers in three villages in the Alfred Nzo District can breathe a sigh of relief after the MEC for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth announced that the Department allocated R1.6million for the provision of water through boreholes.
Speaking to the community of Ngonyameni village in Ntabankulu Local Municipality where one of the boreholes will be drilled, MEC said water was an “essential” part for livestock farmers to thrive.
“As government we took a decision to provide water to the livestock farmers in the province . We are encouraging farmers to produce and sell in order to fight poverty. We are here to support that call,”
Meth said the 6th administration is committed to provide boreholes, revamping and building new stock water dams.
She said in the Alfred Nzo District, where Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane accompanied by his executive are visiting, the Department will spend R1,6 million to supply boreholes to three areas, including Ngonyameni Village.
Through the Department’s Rural Appropriate Technology Unit, Spring water was provided at Goxe and Matyeni villages. The water is sourced from springs, channelled through pipes from the mountains, stored in a reservoir and accessed through taps in the villages.
Speaking on behalf of the visibly elated farmers, Mandlakayise Jeke, chairperson of the farmers’ union in the area said: “The community is excited about this development as it brings about change because water is scarce in this area.”
“We want to thank government for this commitment. As farmers, we will do more to ensure we produce quality livestock,” Jeke said.
Meth also advised rural farmers to “be united and have strong unions in order to apply for quality livestock from the department” on its livestock improvement programme.
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC yesterday met with livestock export company Al- Mawashi together with farmers from the Eastern Cape ahead of the export of 56 000 live sheep and cattle to Kuwait.
The celebratory meeting took place just days after the Grahamstown High Court ruled in favour of Al-Mawashi in a National Council of SPCAs court challenge which delayed the export of the live animals. Upon granting Al-Mawashi permission to export the animals, the court ordered that the DRDAR must monitor the initial transportation of the animals, and ensure that they will be treated in accordance with prescripts for the transport of animals by sea. Soon after the court order, DRDAR dispatched its Animal Health experts to inspect the sheep to ensure that they ready for the journey.
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth congratulated Al Mawashi on the court victory saying the partnership is set to benefit emerging farmers in the province. She said the Department will engage Al-Mawashi on “further farmer development programmes”
Ilyaas Ally, Al Mawashi Managing Director said the partnership would not only benefit animal production but would further improve “cognate industries like feed and transport” in South Africa.
“The growing live export industry has provided access to sustainable international markets for the red meat producers from rural areas” Ally added
He further indicated that the first shipment in September 2019 saw 8% of sheep being sourced from non- commercial farmers and this figure increased to 14% during the March 2020 and in this new shipment, the company received 22% of their livestock from emerging farmers.
The company also announced that the addition of around 800 cattle will be part of the load outbound to the Middle East.
“Working together with government and through empowerment initiatives such as the off-take agreements entered into with emerging farmers, Al-Mawashi is committed to realisation of transformed agricultural industry that will enable inclusive economic growth and reshape the socio-economic outlook of the Eastern Cape Province,” added Ally.
He further said that the company prides itself of their track record for abiding and exceeding international live export standards. “Animal welfare is the cornerstone of our operations and we go out of way to ensure that the animals are treated in the human way throughout our exporting procedures” said Ally.
Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform MEC yesterday met with livestock export company Al- Mawashi together with farmers from the Eastern Cape ahead of the export of 56 000 live sheep and cattle to Kuwait.
The celebratory meeting took place just days after the Grahamstown High Court ruled in favour of Al-Mawashi in a National Council of SPCAs court challenge which delayed the export of the live animals. Upon granting Al-Mawashi permission to export the animals, the court ordered that the DRDAR must monitor the initial transportation of the animals, and ensure that they will be treated in accordance with prescripts for the transport of animals by sea. Soon after the court order, DRDAR dispatched its Animal Health experts to inspect the sheep to ensure that they ready for the journey.
MEC Nomakhosazana Meth congratulated Al Mawashi on the court victory saying the partnership is set to benefit emerging farmers in the province. She said the Department will engage Al-Mawashi on “further farmer development programmes”
Ilyaas Ally, Al Mawashi Managing Director said the partnership would not only benefit animal production but would further improve “cognate industries like feed and transport” in South Africa.
“The growing live export industry has provided access to sustainable international markets for the red meat producers from rural areas” Ally added
He further indicated that the first shipment in September 2019 saw 8% of sheep being sourced from non- commercial farmers and this figure increased to 14% during the March 2020 and in this new shipment, the company received 22% of their livestock from emerging farmers.
The company also announced that the addition of around 800 cattle will be part of the load outbound to the Middle East.
“Working together with government and through empowerment initiatives such as the off-take agreements entered into with emerging farmers, Al-Mawashi is committed to realisation of transformed agricultural industry that will enable inclusive economic growth and reshape the socio-economic outlook of the Eastern Cape Province,” added Ally.
He further said that the company prides itself of their track record for abiding and exceeding international live expot standards. “Animal welfare is the cornerstone of our operations and we go out of way to ensure that the animals are treated in the human way throughout our exporting procedures” said Ally.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme Zuko Fazzie (39) an emerging livestock producer from Chris Hani said: “We are excited that our livestock is going to Middle East and we are inviting other farmers to join us in this open market and reap the benefits as there is a huge demand for livestock in the Middle East
One of the beneficiaries of the programme Zuko Fazzie (39) an emerging livestock producer from Chris Hani said: “We are excited that our livestock is going to Middle East and we are inviting other farmers to join us in this open market and reap the benefits as there is a huge demand for livestock in the Middle East”
Investor to transform Mantusini Dairy into processing plant
THE investor –Cream Top- roped in by the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform to turn around the dire situation at the sinking Mantusini Dairy farm has hit the ground running.
The Mantusini Dairy Trust Farm situated in Port St Johns was established by more than 450 Mantusini villagers in 2005. However, it failed to take off, mainly due to a lack of funding. The national department of Rural Development and Land Reform saw potential in the project and pumped in millions of rands in investment to give the business that stood to benefit hundreds of villagers a foothold.
Almost two decades later the dairy farm has found itself heading back to its stages of infancy. Only three months ago Mantusini Dairy farm made news headlines where it was reported that it was on a brink of closing shop. This was due to shortage of feed which saw the business losing an average 53 dairy cows each month due to hunger. This affected the business badly as the amount of milk produced by the cows dwindled by hundreds of litres. Due to this challenge the farm that supplied its fresh milk to dairy processors like SUNDALE and Clover couldn’t meet its targets resulting in loss of profit.
Currently the farm produces 300 litres of milk a day from its 78 milking cows with each cow producing only 4 litres due to starvation. The total herd of the farm is 348 cows which consists of 48 calves, 227 pregnant cows and 43 pregnant heifers.
In response to these news, MEC for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nomakhosazana Meth moved swiftly to rescue the situation.
On Saturday (September 5), after a busy week of handing over livestock to red meat farmers in the Alfred Nzo District as part of DRDARD’s livestock improvement programme, Meth officially introduced Cream Top to the Mantusini Dairy trustees as the rescuer.
“Our government has invested a lot in this project for us to back down now. We will rally behind the Mantusini Dairy and the community until we see it impacting positively on the lives of local people by eradicating poverty through job creation and inspire more businesses like this one. Today we say you aren’t alone,” said Meth.
She emphasized that the department would monitor the business closely so to avoid mismanagement of resources. During the introduction of the investor, Meth also handed over a portion of a 100-ton livestock feed to the farm.
As the first step to rescue the situation, Sihle Ntuli of Cream Top said since last week they stopped milking of the cows with immediate effect and focused on first feeding the cows to avoid further mortalities.
“The dairy farm is sitting on a red light. The first step is to save the cattle and then work on resolving the infrastructural challenges,” he said.
Ntuli said they would plant more feed while constructing a dairy processing plant on the side which would see the farm producing raw products and processing them into finished tertiary products without the use of a middleman.
“We are not a charity. We are here to do business and the processing plant will see us milking cows, processing, packaging and branding it as products ready for the market,” he said.
He said turning things around at the farm would take them a period of three months.
“ Vets have checked the wellbeing of the cows as we speak. At the same time, we will be working on Human Resource issues which include the salaries of workers that weren’t paid for the past three months and we expect them to be disbursed into the accounts of employees ,” he added.
Mantusini employs 18 staffers which include the management.
The two parties –Mantusini Dairy Farm and Cream Top- have entered on a profit share agreement (PFA). Due to this form of contract, Ntuli said the people of Mantusini would continue owning 100% of the business but they would share the profits.
Manager at the farm, Oscar Nzimande said they were looking forward to working with Cream Top.
“What I have realised is that we have a common goal and vision with the investor and because of this I believe the partnership is going to yield positive results for both parties,” he said.