By Adia Jildo
The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Onyoti Adigo Nyikwec,said the livestock show that has happened in Terkeka is to promote skills and perception of livestock owners taking the economic trends.
Terkeka host the 4th livestock show in the country in areas such as Rumbek, Wau, Kuajik and Terkeka.
He said, “The culture of keeping livestock for numbers, for social cultural reasons need to be changed. Joint efforts are needed to remove obstacles before transformation of the sector to make a difference.”
He said that there is need for livestock owners to change attitude and perception about livestock in order to commercialize it.
“The objectives of these livestock show is to create awareness among livestock keepers on the economic importance of livestock in their possessions,” he said adding. “increasing livestock commercialization in pastoral areas needs increase rates of sales of animals and use of all imports purchased.”
He added that the newly constructed roads linking Terekeka to Juba city would assist pastoralists to access market and urban consumers sell their products.
He called on communities that herd livestock to be at peace with each other for development.
The ambassador of the Kingdom if Netherlands Marjan Shippers said the livestock show is a great step for the commercialisation of livestock sector in the country and would bring revenue to the government if invested on with an estimated of 3 billion United States dollars.
“The livestock sector has reached a limit of growth, we have crossed the boundary if the environment and therefore the sector has to fund a new path to sustainability by innovation and downsizing,” she said.
“The livestock sectors can lift many South Sudanese out of poverty, create jobs for youths and contribute to food security,” she emphasized.
Samuel Baranya one of the participants in the two day livestock exhibition expressed his gratitude to the show the people how he keeps his cattle.
“I am happy that I can show how I keep my cows healthy. I did not win but I know my cattle are all healthy because I take care of them,” Samuel Braranya one of those who took their cattle for the livestock show said.
Samuel who originates and lives in Terkeka also cultivates beside cattle keeping as a way to keep his family. He owns over 30 cattle and 12 goats.
He said there is need for the government to implement projects to better the quality of animals such as milk products, meat and it’s resistance towards diseases.
“I have been losing my cattle a lot to disease even when they look healthy. If the government wants good quality cows, he must set plans to enable us keep our cattle,” he said.
According to Samuel, cattle are used for marriage. The more they multiply, the more wives one will get.
“I can’t sell my cows unless there is a problem such as sickness and hunger. If there is hunger, why should I sell it. Cattle are sold one by one, not all at a go,” he said.
Viola Keji a pastoralist also one of the people who displayed their livestock’s like goats at the livestock show said she brought her goat to check whether it’s feeding was good.
Viola who owns 36 goats in her home said presence of market for livestock has encouraged her to keep more as one can sell their animals any time.
“When there is emergency, I will pick one goat and get a buyer at the slaughter house immediate,” she said.
Viola said animals such as cows, goats and sheep are assets that do not have to be wasted.
“I sold last year three goats because I had to rescue the rest when they were sick. There was no time left or else it would cost the life of all my animals,” she said.
Viola said she decided to buy the goats and keep them for emergencies rather than waiting from her husband.
Emo Lino Wani came with his family to show their livestock.
“Our country does not produce good food currently for us like before. The goats and cows are giving less milk,”.
He said there is need for modern technology on how to produce quality milk and meat.
“This technology will come from the government and not the civilians. Their foods, medicines will be brought,” he said.
Lino has 40 goats said there has been huge losses for him as he has lost many goats to sickness.
“We as the Mundari people do not easily sell our cattle or goats. We sit down before selling them, it is used for marriage and it’s used for feeding children’s,” Lino said.
