MEDIA RELEASE

TO: All Editors

Embargo: For Immediate Release

Date: 3 July 2006

Re: Dept Hosts Symposium on Livestock Production as Emergent Sector Readies

      Itself for Better Stakes.

The Department of Agriculture and Land Reform will be hosting various role-players involved in animal production in the developing areas of South Africa as the four-day symposium of the Developing Animal Agriculture Interest Group (DAAIG) gets underway in Upington today. The symposium which is to be held at the Department’s Karakul Research Station, is to be attended by over 80 delegates that would include interest groups such as farmers, scientists and technologists in animal production, veterinarians and animal health officers, agricultural economist and extension officers.

This will be the 21^st Symposium of the Group which serve as the basis for an active exchange of ideas on current issues related to livestock especially focusing on the emerging sector. Other matters that are to come under discussion include; community empowerment programmes and the conservation of farm animal genetic resources and goat production. The keynote speaker will be Khara Hais Mayor Gift Van Staden. The CEO of the National Emergent Red Meat Producer’s Organisation, Mr. Aggrey Mahanyane will also address the gathering. Leading specialists are to address the symposium which would also provide young scientist with an opportunity of presenting their research fields and findings.  

The symposium comes amid serious discussions having evolved around national agricultural policies and their linkages to the enhancement of equitable access and participation in agriculture, Improving global competitiveness and profitability in agriculture and ensuring food security. Agriculture in the Northern Cape Province is the second largest economic sector whereby, 67% of farmland is used for extensive farming, especially sheep and goats.  Livestock production therefore plays a major role in contributing towards the high value of agricultural outputs, food security, poverty alleviation and employment opportunities.

The Department of Agriculture and Land Reform introduced the Livestock Improvement Programme (LIP) to empower emerging farmers, land reform beneficiaries and food security projects through the disposal of surplus animals at research farms in a responsible and equitable way. The Department has also established the Animal Production Development Committee (APDC) with the main responsibility of developing and promoting the Livestock Industry in the Northern Cape.  END

Source: Department of Agriculture and Land Reform

Enquiries: Thabo Mothibi / 083 255 8840