The Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe has urged women to hold the fort in the farming industry value chain when she handed over the R1, 8 million worth fully equipped Mbenge Multi-purpose Shed in the Sakhisizwe Local Municipality this week.
The MEC applauded the growth of women representation in shed that grew from merely 5 in 2004 when the shearing shed was established by 12 farmers to 57 against 45 males in the 102-member wool production enterprise that owns a sheep flock of 5 032 animals.
“I am saying that we are giving them a responsibility because if they cannot stand, when one day they decide to sit down and do nothing our work would not have the intended impact of building economic vibrancy in communities. This facility will support local livestock farmers by providing improved shearing and handling facilities, while contributing to better livestock management and strengthening the local agricultural economy,” Kontsiwe stated.
The MEC decried the 0% involvement of youth as members of the shed, which has also been supported by the department with 10 Dohne rams through the Livestock Improvement Scheme Programme, urging parents to ensure children are learning from them.
Chairperson of the shed Mboneli Ngcelelo applauded the government support that will assist in realising their goal of maximising wool production, strengthening local economic collectively with the assistance of government and other agricultural sector partners.
“Where are coming very far with this shed. We have suffered a lot while using the zinc structure we have built ourselves. While we tried to produce more wool bales, they were not of good quality because the wool was exposed to rain and that affected our income. We are very happy to have been built this structure, and we will produce good quality wool because our wool will be safe from contaminations,” Ngcelelo said.
They sell their wool through BKB in Gqeberha and have made significant incomes since their start with the last shearing season earning them about R340 000, an amount Ngcelelo hopes will increase thanks to the support of the department.
