Photo by: Reuters
The red meat value chain has the potential to unlock employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina told farmers at the Uthukela Beef Value Chain workshop, in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, earlier this week.
The workshop was held to assist emerging farmers to grow and participate in the value chain of the beef industry.
The value chain of the industry includes feedlots, abattoirs, meat processing and imports and exports.
“There is a huge market and job opportunities in the beef value chain that, if they are ignored, might slip through our fingers. We need to coordinate all resources that can uplift the emerging farmers and also identify markets for those who are ready to export to all countries that import red meat from South Africa,” said Gina.
Gina hoped there would be an ongoing national dialogue on innovation and exchange of new technologies for meat processing.
“We are all aware that the demand for beef products will more than double in the next 20 years, owing to the increase in urbanisation, economic growth and changes in consumption patterns in both the developed and developing countries.
“This means that beef producers need to gear themselves up for the opportunities by increasing investment both in production and processing activities,” she highlighted.
Farmers who participated in the workshop agreed that they needed intervention from government. For example, they cited that it would be helpful to be provided with research commissioned by government that the farmers did not have access to.
Issues of drought support, incentives and access to the market were also discussed during the workshop.
Gina urged all relevant government departments to come together and plan a way forward to unlock opportunities and deal with the hurdles faced by emerging beef farmers.