Sipiwo Makinana, national executive member of the NWGA, said that the genetic improvement of flocks within communal areas played a significant role in the dramatic increase of wool production in these areas over the past ten years or so.
“To date 3 200 rams have been introduced into the former homelands by the NWGA ram project, which is funded by the National Department of Agriculture,” Makinana said. He added that he hoped more funding could be sourced from the department to continue the project as the demand for these rams certainly existed. He also said that training, support and facilitation programmes initiated by BKB, CMW, Intervet, NWGA and the Department of Agriculture have contributed to the success of communal farmers.
Vice-president of the NWGA Harry Prinsloo congratulated communal farmers on their progress, but explained that the next challenge would be to significantly reduce the
gap between the average price received nationally and that by communal farmers.
