Imbizo Focus Week, Farmers Day Event at Koopmansfontein

29 September 2004

Hon Programme Director
Hon MPLs
Hon Councillors
Distinguished Emerging and Commercial Farmers
Distinguished Reps of Agricultural Institutions
Ladies and Gentlemen
Comrades and Friends

On Friday 24 September, South Africa marked its tenth celebration of Heritage Day in the tenth year of democracy. Today we are gathered here to address a matter that was an element of pride and joy to many African families over the last two thousand years.

The history of agriculture clearly indicates that farming was and will forever be at the heart of our African heritage. Ours is to undo the ills of the 1913 Natives Land Act that gave rise to rural poverty by restoring your heritage that was an important form of wealth to many rural families.

The most critical challenges advanced by the advent of our democratic dispensation have been the measures undertaken in restoring the dignity of the victims of Apartheid South Africa who have been reduced to mere herders of sheep. The African Farmer lost prosperity to an evil system and was deprived of leaving this rich legacy of indigenous knowledge to future generations.

Together we can rebuild that dream by starting anew in consultation. Ours is to provide you with information and at the same time source your inputs and advice. Our Imbizo Focus Week makes a statement on what we can achieve together by - " Building a People's Contract for A Better South Africa and a Better World."

The Northern Cape's vegetation provides a major advantage for small stock production and our different land reform programmes present an opening for opportunities within livestock farming.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have staged this Small Stock Farmers' Day activity with the aim of breaking the information backlog within agriculture's livestock farming. Small stock farming constitutes a significant share of our economic activities in the province. It is at the heart of household food security and food safety in the Northern Cape. Small stock farming is a survival factor.

From the Kalahari to Namaqualand and every corner of our province, owners of herd are aplenty. It is therefore correct that we pay attention to small stock farming during the Imbizo Focus Week.

This gathering offers role players in the industry the opportunity to reflect collectively on opportunities and challenges. It is crucial that we focus on the best farming practices to achieve high quality meat products and to protect the industry from the negative consequences of animal diseases, bad feeding and grazing practices.

The recent outbreak of avian flu in the Eastern Cape is a reminder of the importance of maintaining high vigilance and sticking to acceptable practices of slaughtering of stock for meat products. The key message is for small stock farmers to apply all the principles of conservation farming that will place you on a pedestal of agricultural prosperity.

It is for this reason that the Department has gone about to introduce the Livestock Improvement Programme that speaks to the ideals of the Strategic Plan for South African Agriculture.

The recently established Koopmansfontein Goat Breeding Stud will be able to provide good quality breeding material to emerging farmers for the commercialization of goats in the province by 2005. The Koopmansfontein Research Station is already acclaimed for producing the best Bonsmara stud in the Northern Cape.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Tomorrow dawns upon us with the Launch of the Agri-BEE Framework that further challenges government to link the emerging sector to co-operatives, information on marketing opportunities and participation in the export market and extensive training.

We have achieved a rare training feat with the Karakul project and we are yearning to extend this success by also placing special emphasis on women and youth farmers. The Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme that is aimed at on-and-off farming will also grant the small stock farming industry much needed impetus.

We will forever be at your service in informing you about the elements of Risk Management such as the suitable use of natural resources, animal disease control and veld management. We will at all times duly respond to all our constitutional obligations by providing you with a well-deserved service.

In conclusion Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to state that government will continue to put greater emphasis on small scale farming by addressing all matters that are of importance to this sector such as water resources soil erosion and soaring input costs. Our resources are at your disposal. Our Veterinary Services Unit is geared to serve you.

We are also confident that organized agriculture will grant you patriotic assistance by sharing its immeasurable knowledge. The growth and success of small stock farmers stands to benefit the entire economy.

Thank You,
Pula!!