Staff Reporter
The Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is expected to officially launch a special programme to assist farmers minimise the loss of livestock and different equipment through the use of technology.
Titled the Risk Management Solution Programme, the initiative will be unveiled by Agriculture MEC William Bulwane in Wepener today.
The programme, according to the department, entails supporting farmers with risk management solutions using equipment such as animal tracking devices and digital security surveillance and drones.
The first group of farmers to receive the equipment consists of farmers from around Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo in the commonages as well as commercial farmers from Wepener and Bainsvlei.
“A total budget of about R4.5 million has been allocated for this programme to support 156 farmers,” said the provincial agriculture department.
“About 1 706 livestock tracking devices and 32 vehicles will be fitted with the anti-hijack tracking devices to safeguard against livestock theft,” it added.
The department said the programme was initiated to help mitigate against the ever-rising livestock theft cases in the province which threaten food security and job creation.
The Intelligent Animal Tracking System is expected to assist farmers who are badly affected by stock theft across the province.
The programme will be rolled out to other districts in the near future.