Four emerging black mohair producers in the Eastern Cape have received cash injections to expand and improve their production.
The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET) provided R1,4 million through the Mohair Industry Support Programme of Mohair South Africa.
The programme aims to commercialise the operations of emerging black Angora goat farmers and introduce them to the global mohair value chain, thereby transforming the mohair industry.
The beneficiaries are:
- Driefontein Farm in Somerset East, which received R546 800 from the ECDC-administered Imvaba Cooperatives Fund to buy 200 Angora goats and piping for irrigation.
- Uitkomst Farm in Jansenville, which received R561 978 from the Imvaba Cooperatives Fund for an irrigation system which will allow it to produce its own feed.
- Irene Farm in Graaff-Reinet, which received R149 000 from the ECDC Small Town, Township and Rural Enterprise Support Programme to buy 130 Angora goats.
- Rhulani Farm in Cookhouse, which received R143 231 from the same programme for solar panels.
At the recent launch of the Mohair Industry Support Programme, Mlungisi Mvoko, the Eastern Cape MEC for economic development, said the ECDC was committed to supporting to emerging Angora goat farmers.
Mvoko said the funding support is a result of a three-year agreement between the ECDC and the Mohair Empowerment Trust (MET) which was signed last September.
In addition, the ECDC has made a further R1 million available to assist 12 farmers in the MET mohair support programme with the necessary tools for mohair sorting, classing and shearing efficiency, including shearing sheds.
“The goal is to assist previously disadvantaged individuals to become financially independent by producing quality mohair. This is being achieved through partnerships between the mohair industry and government departments on a local and national level,” said Mvoko.
Ayanda Wakaba, ECDC chief executive officer, said the three-year agreement provides emerging Angora goat farmers with access to ECDC incentives and economic development support, as well as the MET’s technical support to promote sustainability, revenue generation and commercialisation. He said farmers will benefit from technical skills transfer while improving the quality of their mohair.
“This project has turned the fortunes of these black farmers, who have 30-year leases on farms owned by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development,” he said.
“Introducing these farmers to Angora goat farming, capacity-building and funding has greatly improved the profitability and sustainability of these development farms in their pursuit to be commercial farmers.”
