“A lot of local farmers are afraid to showcase their livestock because some people attend these shows not to buy, but to identify the best livestock and steal it,” he said
Umzimvubu Local Municipality recently hosted the 13th Umzimvubu Annual Agricultural Show, with the aim to market the municipality‘s Agro-Tourism. According to the Municipality the focus of the Agricultural Show was to showcase livestock, products and agricultural produce of local farmers, as well as running a livestock competition among farmers.
Speaking to one of the local farmer Zuko Chance who participated on the show, sharing his journey of being a farmer saying they registered their farm, in 2012, started farming in 2013. Initially, they began with a small number of goats but gradually expanded their operations. Today, the farm supplies vegetables to local stores, including Boxer Superstore at Mount Frere, where they provide cabbage and spinach daily. “We have diversified our operations, now we are planting yellow maize and raising sheep, cows, and chickens, currently, we are harvesting and selling yellow maize,” he said.
Apart from their success the farmer acknowledged challenges such as drought but emphasized that they’ve adapted by finding ways to feed animals during dry seasons and adjusting their planting schedule for yellow maize to cope with climate change, but Stock theft is a significant challenge for local farmers, particularly in the Mount Frere area. The farmer expressed that many have been forced to abandon livestock farming due to rampant theft. He urged the government to assist in combating stock theft, describing how thieves now brazenly take livestock as if it belongs to them. He shared a tragic story of a farmer murdered while trying to protect his animals in a nearby village.
The farmer emphasized that stock theft severely impacts Eastern Cape farmers, affecting their participation in events like the Umzimvubu Local Municipality’s agricultural show. “A lot of local farmers are afraid to showcase their livestock because some people attend these shows not to buy, but to identify the best livestock and steal it,” he said. He acknowledged the initiative behind these events but noted that stock theft limits their full participation. “The market for livestock is there, but stock theft is a major problem. You can’t expand your livestock business because you’ll attract thieves,” he explained.
The farmer highlighted stock theft as a major challenge, affecting the future of livestock farming in the area. He expressed that unless the government addresses stock theft, local farmers will struggle to grow their livestock businesses. While diseases are a challenge, they’ve found ways to manage them. However, stock theft is a more pressing issue that needs urgent attention.
The farmer believes the Umzimvubu Local Municipality’s farmers’ show has huge potential to draw in farmers, encourage sharing of best practices, and foster competition. However, due to challenges like stock theft, the show’s impact is diminished, and many local farmers are withdrawing from participation and even from farming altogether.
