Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo Scheme, KyD, of the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa

Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo Scheme or KyD Scheme, was established to facilitate access of small-holder farmers in mainstream agricultural economy of the country. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is entrusted to manage the National Animal Recording and Improvement Schemes (Schemes) for the nation. The objective of the Schemes is to achieve sustainable livestock improvement by keeping accurate animal performance records. This is achieved by applying improved management practices and accurate selection for economically important traits. Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo has gained momentum and covers thousands of small-holder farmers in all the nine provinces and provides internship opportunities to young graduates who gain experience in both farmer development and animal recording.. The ARC’s field workers assist small-holder farmers to perform basic animal husbandry and whole herd recording. Animal records include birth notification, weaning weight, 12 moth and 18 month weight. This information is captured on the Integrated Registration and Genetic Information System (INTERGIS) for analysis to enable farmers make selection and culling decisions. Managed at the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa's Animal Production Institute in Irene Pretoria.