The congress, which formed part of the NWGA’s centenary celebration, brought together producers, advisers, and other industry stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
NWGA Eastern Cape communal vice-chairperson and producer Dominic Tsoananyana said communal farmers had made significant progress over the years in improving wool quality, increasing production, strengthening farmer organisations, and participating more effectively in formal wool markets, despite operating under difficult conditions.
He noted that many producers farm on land administered through traditional leadership structures, which creates challenges that differ from those faced by commercial farmers.
“In some areas, when livestock numbers increase, farmers are forced to move animals to more distant grazing areas. The problem is that there are often no access roads, making it difficult to transport animals and reach markets,” he said.
Tsoananyana said the lack of market infrastructure and transport routes increases production costs and limits opportunities for expansion.
Improved genetics are key
Genetic improvement remains a priority for communal producers seeking to improve wool quality and flock productivity.
Previous ram exchange initiatives contributed significantly to flock improvement, while support from the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture and the United Nations Development Programme had helped address some breeding challenges.
However, more assistance is needed. “We need support to improve our breeding programmes and remove inferior rams from the system,” Tsoananyana said.
NWGA production adviser and young producer Khanyiso Mzayifani said communal producers are committed to producing quality wool sustainably, despite ongoing challenges.
He said genetics remains one of the most important long-term drivers of productivity, adding that government and industry stakeholders need to work together to develop a structured and sustainable genetic improvement programme.
Animal health and biosecurity are also concerns. “The lack of fencing makes biosecurity very difficult. We continue to face challenges relating to animal health and disease management in communal areas,” Mzayifani said.
He added that many producers also lack access to suitable shearing facilities, with sheep in some communities still shorn in garages, huts, and other unsuitable structures, increasing contamination risks and reducing the value of the clip.
“This affects wool sorting and classing and ultimately impacts the income farmers receive for their wool.”
Confronting misperceptions about communal wool
NWGA broker and producer Sivuyile Mvinjelwa said the industry needs to move away from generalisations about communal wool production.
“The biggest challenge facing communal wool is the stigma attached to it. There is a perception that communal wool is always at high risk of contamination, but that is not necessarily true.
“There are communal farmers producing excellent-quality wool with little or no contamination. We need to identify specific contamination issues rather than generalising across the entire industry,” he said.
