Eastern Cape Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Nonkqubela Pieters recently officially handed over a R1, 4 million shearing shed with a dipping tank to the Upper Mkapusi Wool Growers Association in the Emalahleni Local Municipality.
DRDAR’s Commitment to Commercialise Communal and Emerging Farmers
In its bid to commercialise communal and emerging farmers, DRDAR is committed to provide infrastructure and necessary equipment to improve the business enterprises income and create jobs.
The MEC has been handing over shearing sheds across the province since she occupied the post and from the testimonies of the farmers, the infrastructure in growing their businesses.
Formation and Progress of the Mkapusi Association
The Mkapusi association was formed in 1988 by a group of 12 progressive sheep farmers through an initiative spearheaded by an extension officer who worked at the area.
Before this initiative the sheep farmers at Upper Mkapusi used to shear their sheep individually and sold their wool to at lower prices but after DRDAR intervention, they started to practice all the wool production processes collectively rotating homesteads as their places for sheep shearing.
In 1992 these farmers decided to erect a shearing structure using available resources such as stones and the soil and also collecting some funds from their own pockets for roofing material. In 2020 their application for a shed with a dipping tank was approved by DRDAR and it was completed in September 2021. They were given permission start using the facility with full shearing shed equipment and a dipping tank during 2021 and 10 Dohne Merino Rams were also delivered to genetic flock improvement.
Job Creation and Community Support for Sheep Shearing Season
During every shearing season the project is able to create (13) job opportunities for youth as 10 sheep shearers, two wool classers and sorters and a wool scale reader. Between 2017/18 and 2022/23 financial years, DRDAR invested about R3m in agriculture support for the community including drought relief, infrastructure, spring water protection at Bangindlala that created 90 jobs, livestock improvement and household gardens.
Community Impact and Current Production
The occasion was visited by the association’s 60 members that include 22 females, two young females, two disabled and 34 males officially receive the key to the shed where they produce about 35 bales valued at R419 000 from their 2 196 flock of sheep. DRDAR