25 Jul 2017

The agricultural landscape is slowly taking shape as more and more farmers continuously seek new ways of improving the profession. 

Of late, the nation has witnessed the revival of the spirit of farming in most people particularly the youth who have not only added numbers but have come up with advanced methods of farming.

While this is a welcome development, it is befitting to acknowledge such efforts so that more and more youth can come on board and improve food security in the country and perhaps create the much needed job opportunities.

Faheem Kala is one such youth whose efforts towards agricultural development must be celebrated.  

Mr Kala’s farm Bushra Kalahari reds  which is also registered as a company in Gakutlo specialises in stud breeding particularly the Kalahari reds and Boer goats. 

The animals are reared for commercial purposes. 

For instance, they make money from selling their quality breeds to farmers who want to improve their indigenous goats.

This method of farming involves an establishment for selective breeding of livestock. Bushra Kalahari Reds farm manager Mr Sethula Sethula says that they started breeding Kalahari reds in 2011.

“Kahalari reds are disease- resistant and can withstand severe drought conditions, as a result, we do not have a problem feeding them during drought.”

Mr Sethula also explained that they introduced boer goats to their establishment in 2015 after they realised that most farmers locally preferred boer goats.

Their prices range from P5000 upwards for males depending on the quality and for females prices range from P3500.

To market their livestock, the company has been attending local agricultural shows purely for marketing purposes. 

“We do not participate in local agricultural shows for competition but for marketings” stressed Mr Sethula.

Although the company has stressed that they showcase their livestock for marketing only, their quality breeds cannot go unnoticed as they have managed to scoop prizes in the agricultural shows they have attended. 

 In the Ghanzi show, the have won Grand Champion price for Senior Ram and the just ended Lentsweletau show, they won prices for senior champion ewe and champion senior buck.

Mr Sethula however mentioned that although their breed is of superior quality, they too learn new things in every show they participate in.

He also acknoweledged that livestock farming is not smooth sailing. 

He said that costs are there but it is up to them to control them.  With every breeding season they make sure that they stick to their management plan.

He cited for example that instead of giving the Ram to 35 ewes, they cut the number  by almost half. 

This is to make sure that their breeding cycle runs all year round.

He has also stressed that in order for one to realise good returns, proper good management is vital in livestock farming.

Since their farm is a registered stud breeder in South Africa, the farm goes through a quality checks by South Afican authorities once or twice a year to meet the breeding standards. ENDS