This donation recently helped produce 10 poultry farmers in George. They completed a training course in Poultry Production, and are now able to establish sustainable small farming operations in their communities.
Liz Dekker from Eskom explained that this equipment was erected at Eskom's La Montagne Test- and Demonstration Centre in Blanco (George) with the purpose to assist and train prospective poultry producers to farm successfully with poultry, dairy cattle and vegetables, The test and demonstration centre no longer operates, and Eskom decided to donate the equipment to the Cape Institute for Agricultural Training where the equipment could be put to the intended use.
David Barnard, lecturer at the Institute was involved with the erection of the training unit at George. David says that the equipment was used to erect units to help prospective farmers make informed decisions regarding the planning and establishment of their own production facilities. He says: "Eskom's donation enabled us to offer a facility where prospective poultry farmers in the vicinity can be trained. We used a mobile housing unit and converted it into a commercial poultry run where chicks are raised under infrared lights. The run is designed that students are exposed to the practical aspects of the hygiene of the poultry industry.
One of the students, Anne Prins of Friemersheim, said that the course helped her to determine the viability of starting a poultry farming operations. "After the viability of my idea was established, we were taught how to start a poultry production operation that will truly help us with poverty alleviation' " she said.
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