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Nadine Mather and Chloë Loubser
Sheep farming profitable in Great Karoo
According to Wayne Rubidge, Pam Golding Properties manager for the Karoo region, the Great Karoo region, which dominates the large interiors of the three Cape provinces and southern Free State, is rapidly becoming one of the preferred farming areas in South Africa.
Sheep, cattle, goat and game farms, with agriculture mainly near the Orange and Fish River Irrigation Schemes, typify the Karoo region.
"What makes farming here so attractive are the low input costs and extensive nature of farming in this region. This is coupled with low population density, uncomplicated land tenure, a healthy environment and desirable lifestyle. Here livestock farming dominates the agricultural sector. South Africa produces 85% of its own needs, while the production of animal feeds such as maize and lucerne form a significant component of the annual agricultural harvest.
Major economic potential
"South Africa has more game and a wider variety of game species than most countries and in the Karoo, game farming has grown over the years. Today it is a viable industry with major economic potential as a standalone enterprise or included in the farming mix, which is predominantly sheep farming - producing some of the world's best lamb and wool. However, the emergence of speciality farms is gathering momentum with niche farming such as the cultivation of pomegranates being enthusiastically explored."
He says the price of land in the Karoo varies and generally is related to rainfall. In the drier Karoo areas farmland sells for R1000 per hectare
For more information, go www.karooproperty.co.za.
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