The Nqabarha Cooperative in Willowvale, Eastern Cape, is set to expand its livestock operations after receiving R350 000 from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s (ECDC) Imvaba Cooperative Fund. The funding includes 20 heifers, animal feed, and veterinary supplies, positioning the six-member cooperative for commercial market entry.
Established by subsistence farmers after 10 years of individual farming, the cooperative now manages 100 cattle and 60 goats on 10 hectares, with access to an additional 100 hectares of communal land. The new support will improve herd quality, boost productivity, and enhance animal care.
“The funding enables us to transition from community-based livestock management to commercially oriented production while supporting smallholder farmers across the region,” said Sindisa Dunga, spokesperson for the cooperative. “We also invested R20 000 into fencing and infrastructure, hiring local laborers and stimulating the rural economy.”
The cooperative aims to enter the agro-processing value chain by establishing a small-scale abattoir, a critical step toward year-round meat supply and improved market access for local producers. Currently, Nqabarha provides boarding services for emerging farmers and supplies cattle for cultural and ceremonial purposes, employing four locals.
Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Nonkqubela Pieters, emphasized that the Imvaba Cooperative Fund strengthens cooperative capacity, creates jobs, and contributes to inclusive regional economic growth.
The fund offers non-repayable financial incentives of up to R600 000 for qualifying cooperatives, with an additional R150 000 for enterprising individuals within the cooperative. Beyond financing, it provides institutional and capacity-building support across sectors including agriculture, agro-processing, tourism, manufacturing, ICT, green economy, crafts, and the oceans economy.
Since its inception, the Imvaba Cooperative Fund has supported over 400 cooperatives in the Eastern Cape, creating more than 2 600 permanent and seasonal jobs and boosting local economic development.
