Livestock farmers attends re-launch of the Masibuyele Esibayeni program at Liefgekozen
The re-launch was aimed at informing farmers of the commodities that have been included such as rabbitry, poultry, fishery, tortoises and the role of the department in supporting them.
Livestock farmers from across the province converged in numbers to attend the re-launch of the Masibuyele Esibayeni Program (MESP) held at Liefgekozen farm on Friday, 8 February.
The MESP is a livestock improvement program which started out as a food security program.
The re-launch was aimed at informing farmers of the commodities that have been included such as rabbitry, poultry, fishery, tortoises and the role of the department in supporting them.
Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs MEC, Mr Vusi Shongwe highlighted that, should farmers have an interest to participate in the program, they should firstly have a passion for farming, knowledge in the commodity they are farming in, and have sufficient land.
“The Masibuyele Esibayeni policy has been approved and the success of the program will enhance tgross domestic product,” Mr Shongwe said.
He urged farmers to participate in these new commodities, pass on their knowledge to the youth and seek professional advice from the Department, as the Department has
Veterinary Technologists and soil scientists to assist them. In the 2018/19 financial year, 15 livestock projects within the province benefited from the program.
Later on the day a symbolic handover took place whereby Mr Shongwe handed over 26 sheep to Mr Lucas Lethiba who is one of the beneficiaries.
Mr FJ Sibeko, the farm owner where the re-launch took place, has previously benefited from the program and is now a role model for aspiring farmers.
He has currently planted 600ha of maize, 400ha of soya beans, 300 cattle and 2000 sheep on his farm. He also received first position during the Premier’s Awards in 2014.
