This is according to an executive member of the National Emergent Red Meat Producer’s Organisation (Nerpo), Wilfred Legotlo, who is present at the Nerpo annual general meeting (AGM) in Pretoria this week. 

The  AGM is being presented under the theme collective action to enhance competitiveness for smallholder livestock farmers. Legotlo says smallholder farmers face “abundant” challenges, ranging from climate challenges to lack of resources such as land.

“You must understand that farming is one of those enterprises where you have to produce high volumes. For instance we at Nerpo are saying that to be profitable, you have to have a minimum of 100 cows.”

*Wilfred Legotlo - profitability

He says one way they are trying to empower members is through the Nerpo livestock syndicate.

“That way we can bargain collectively in terms of our trading and in terms of buying inputs. We are saying each member of the syndicate should be able to give us at least 20 animals per year.”

*Wilfred Legotlo - syndicate

The 18th annual Nerpo AGM is underway at the St George Hotel and Conference Centre in Pretoria and ends on Tuesday.

Sabrina Dean/OFM News