Small scale farmers become resourceful
“Since the president announced that the country is under hard lockdown last year March, it was difficult for us to work because we were required to possess permits before we could go out to our farm," said Mr Chris Manda, Qalakancane Cooperative president.
The Qalakancane Cooperative that raises pigs and chickens said lockdown has positively impacted their business.
This cooperative leased the Grootspruit Farm outside eMbalenhle from Govan Mbeki Municipality some years ago, with the aim of a poultry farm and abattoir where Broiler chicken will be bred, specifically for meat production.
A lack of funds prodded them into mixed farming where they were able to sell and make the needed money that will help them reach their goal.
“Since the president announced that the country is under hard lockdown last year March, it was difficult for us to work because we were required to possess permits before we could go out to our farm,” said Mr Chris Manda, Qalakancane Cooperative president.
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“We lost many pigs and chickens because there was no one to feed and care for the animals while we were struggling to obtain permits.
“We were able to get permits after a week. When we calculated the loss, it was more than R100 000,” said Mr Manda.
Then, while they were trying to ensure the proper feeding for the surviving livestock, their market closed and they had no option but to slaughter the stock so that their members had something to eat while waiting for the lockdown regulations to ease up.
“The Department of Agriculture intervened and supported us with the feed for our pigs for about a month. Our spirits lifted and we decided to create our market because the formal one was closed.”
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Mr Manda said they prospered and the demand was good, so they employed about 30 young people to assist.
“These young people are still with us, learning skills in farming. We were encouraged by the late Ikosi Sipho Mahlangu when he visited the area a few years ago. He told us to use what we have rather than depending on the government for everything,” said Mr Manda.
He also said that although the lockdown was hard for them as cooperative, it has also opened their minds and taught them to be resourceful.
Mr Mlamuli Ngobese, one of the learners, said he never thought he would be a friend to animals one day, but he learned how to make a living through farming.
“I thought farming was for the older people. Young people always want to be clean, but now I realised that I must keep my hands dirty to be a better person in life. I want to compete with the giant farmers in supplying chicken and pork to the retailers,” said Mr Ngobese.
