EASTERN Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) MEC Xolile Nqatha joined farmers at the Mawusheni village in Mt Frere when they were celebrating achievements of the department’s livestock improvement programme.

The MEC visited the 13-member Phambili Mawushe Co-op where the DRDAR has donated 30 pregnant heifers and four bulls as from 2012. The programme is part of the Department’s plan to commercialise agriculture in the province.

In the Alfred Nzo District alone, the department has donated a total of 386 different types of livestocka ranging from sheep, goats and cattle.

DRDAR works in partnership with the Nguni Trust in the University of Fort Hare and the National Emerging Redmeat Producers Organisation (NERPO) on its large stock development programme.