Wanted: land for stock farmers
2011-06-30
THE Drakenstein Municipality is currently negotiating with the Mbekweni stock farmers who are based east of Jan van Riebeeck Drive near Vlakkeland, to move their stock to a farm between Hermon and Gouda. The Vlakkeland land is required for the construction of low cost housing, to address the critical housing backlog. The Municipality has undertaken to assist the Mbekweni livestock farmers to relocate their farming activities to more suitable land, where the animals do not endanger traffic. The farm Halfgewaagd of 426 hectares is already in the possession of the Municipality and can accommodate the livestock of about 40 farmers. About 60 cattle are already grazing there, but fencing and accommodation for the caretakers must still be provided. The Municipality will assist in the planning, relocation and transportation of the animals. Another 70 of the small farmers, who farm with pigs, cattle and goats, have indicated that Halfgewaagd is not close enough to their current operation, thus the Municipality is currently investigating the possibility of purchasing other land nearer Paarl to be farmed as commonage. Applications for funding and planning support are being submitted to the Department of Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture.
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