Many challenges emerge in agriculture after promising start to year
This has been a horrific month for the Eastern Cape. The devastating impact of the recent floods on infrastructure, homes and human loss will continue to weigh on the province and the affected families.
Natural disasters also occur at a time when various industries in the Eastern Cape face multiple pressures.
For example, the auto industry faces a challenge of imports from China, among other challenges.
The farming industry faces animal diseases, with foot-and-mouth disease being the most persistent in the province's dairy industry.
However, foot-and-mouth disease is now a challenge nationwide.
We are seeing the pressures across the livestock industry.
I think if you were to ask any cattle farmer in SA, 'How has the year been?' They will likely tell you that this has been a financially challenging year for the industry.
But at the start, the outlook looked promising. We thought the industry would continue its recovery from last year, benefiting from improvements in grazing veld and relatively lower feed prices.
This was after the better summer rains improved agricultural conditions across the country.
The export markets also opened up in the second half of 2024, following temporary closures in the previous year due to the industry's impact from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in most provinces.
For example, in 2024, SA's cumulative beef exports increased by 30% from 2023, reaching 38,657 tonnes. About 57% of this was fresh beef and 43% was frozen beef.
The key markets include China, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Angola, Mozambique, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Mauritius, among other countries.
However, the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on a few farms in various regions of SA presented additional challenges, leading to temporary closures of export markets again in an industry that was still on its recovery path.
The financial pressures on farmers are immense, and we will have clarity about the scale in the coming months.
What has been encouraging is the collaboration between the department of agriculture and organised agriculture in containing the disease and facilitating vaccination on the affected farms.
We can expect the vaccination process to gain momentum in the last week of June.
However, the key to the long-term success of the industry lies in improving animal health, developing vaccines domestically and implementing better surveillance, among other interventions.
Efforts on this vital issue should continue through the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the government, the private sector and organised agriculture.
SA must leverage existing private sector expertise as the process to improve state-owned facilities, such as the Onderstepoort Biological Products, a state-owned vaccine manufacturer, is under way.
We no longer need just one centre of manufacturing, but rather multiple centres where capabilities exist.
This intervention is key not only for preserving the country's share of the industry but also for creating room for new entrant farmers.
It is hard to talk about the integration of black farmers into commercial value chains when the risks of disease remain high and can be financially devastating to businesses.
The recent statements by agriculture minister John Steenhuisen regarding the department's commitment to strengthening animal and plant health are encouraging.
Indeed, in the near term, the focus is on vaccination; however, beyond that process, we must adopt a careful approach to reviving domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities and involve the private sector.
Thereafter, also nudge the department of public works and infrastructure to assist with fencing to ensure the strict control of animal movement in the country.
In the former homelands regions of SA, the traditional leaders have an essential role to play in managing the movement of livestock.
The task cannot be left solely to the government. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that SA's animal health is a priority.
The livestock industry is an anchor of the South African farming economy.
The livestock and poultry industries account for nearly half of our agricultural fortunes, with significant contributions by black farmers as part of the inclusive growth agenda.
As I have noted in the past, while we now struggle with foot-and-mouth disease, what we have learnt from recent experience is that this may not be the last outbreak, and there may be future outbreaks of various diseases in other value chains.
Therefore, SA, more than ever, should increase its investment in animal health by allocating better resources to infrastructure and human capital.
For the Eastern Cape, the cattle industry is key and also holds potential for the province's economic recovery, along with other agricultural activities.
• Wandile Sihlobo is the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA.
The Herald
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
3 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Snupit joins Proudly South African: Powering local growth through technology
Snupit supports local businesses. Snupit, South Africa's go-to digital marketplace for local services, is pleased to announce its membership of the Proudly South African campaign. This milestone shows Snupit's strong dedication to local economic growth. It shows the company's commitment to creating jobs, helping small businesses and keeping its income in South Africa. Founded in 2012, Snupit has been helping South Africans find and hire trusted service providers for over a decade. Headquartered in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, the platform has helped over 3 million users and attracted 500 000+ business registrations across 600+ categories. These include plumbers, tutors, caterers and contractors. This digital bridge has proven especially vital in challenging economic times. Backing local in every sense 'Being a Proudly South African business is more than a label. It's a responsibility we carry with pride,' said Mithundra Sivenandan, Snupit's Sales and Marketing Manager. 'It means making sure our decisions help local communities, support SMEs and strengthen the country's economy.' Snupit's platform was a lifeline for many businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when face-to-face business came to a halt, Snupit kept the doors open virtually. Thousands of small businesses in South Africa survived because of leads and opportunities generated from the platform. As the country came out of lockdown, Snupit boosted recovery. It created new business opportunities in every province across South Africa. In 2024 alone, Snupit facilitated over R6.5 million in work value for its registered professionals. This is a clear indication of its economic impact at the grassroots level. These aren't just numbers. Each connection is the start of a journey – empowering South African entrepreneurs with the chance to earn now and open doors to future opportunities. The importance of the Proudly SA initiative The Proudly South African campaign asks people and businesses to buy local. It also supports homegrown talent. Snupit exemplifies this mission by leveraging technology to keep business local. Snupit keeps funds in South Africa. It helps local entrepreneurs and strengthens the country's digital and economic systems. Unlike many international platforms, Snupit focuses on strengthening the local economy. Snupit supports local businesses and uses innovation to tackle everyday problems. This approach boosts economic participation and helps achieve inclusive growth. Its success proves that when South Africans support each other, everyone benefits. Looking ahead As a Proudly South African member, Snupit is excited to further its mission with renewed focus. The platform will keep innovating. It aims to meet the changing needs of customers and service professionals. This will create more opportunities, build more businesses and strengthen the South African economy, one request at a time. Snupit stays true to its mission. It uses technology to help people find reliable local professionals. At the same time, it aims to help South African businesses not just survive, but thrive.
The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
Thuli Madonsela's spouse, ex PR exec Richard Edward Foxton, has died at 82
Experienced PR executive and spouse of former public protector Thuli Madonsela, Richard Edward Foxton, affectionately known as Dick or "Mr Foxton", has died at the age of 82. He passed away peacefully in his bed, the Thuli Madonsela Foundation announced in a statement. Foxton was a father, grandfather and founder of the South African communications firm Foxton Communicating. He was also a founding patron of the Thuli Madonsela Foundation. Beyond his professional success, the foundation remembered him as a devoted family man who was a deeply religious Christian. "He was a proud father and a loving grandfather to nine grandchildren, all of whom were a central part of his life. "His life partner, Madonsela, was his steadfast companion in personal and professional matters, and together they were a symbol of mutual respect, love and integrity. "Foxton's impact on South Africa's business and political landscape, his commitment to social change and his deep love for his family and faith will not be forgotten. His warmth, kindness, huge personality and boundless generosity touched the lives of many, and his contributions will continue to resonate for years to come. "His passing leaves an irreplaceable void, but his influence will live on in the lives he touched and the work he pioneered." A memorial service will be held at the Rosebank Catholic Church on Friday at 2pm, followed by a celebration of his life at the Bryanston Country Club. TimesLIVE
The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
Many challenges emerge in agriculture after promising start to year
This has been a horrific month for the Eastern Cape. The devastating impact of the recent floods on infrastructure, homes and human loss will continue to weigh on the province and the affected families. Natural disasters also occur at a time when various industries in the Eastern Cape face multiple pressures. For example, the auto industry faces a challenge of imports from China, among other challenges. The farming industry faces animal diseases, with foot-and-mouth disease being the most persistent in the province's dairy industry. However, foot-and-mouth disease is now a challenge nationwide. We are seeing the pressures across the livestock industry. I think if you were to ask any cattle farmer in SA, 'How has the year been?' They will likely tell you that this has been a financially challenging year for the industry. But at the start, the outlook looked promising. We thought the industry would continue its recovery from last year, benefiting from improvements in grazing veld and relatively lower feed prices. This was after the better summer rains improved agricultural conditions across the country. The export markets also opened up in the second half of 2024, following temporary closures in the previous year due to the industry's impact from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in most provinces. For example, in 2024, SA's cumulative beef exports increased by 30% from 2023, reaching 38,657 tonnes. About 57% of this was fresh beef and 43% was frozen beef. The key markets include China, Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Angola, Mozambique, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Mauritius, among other countries. However, the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on a few farms in various regions of SA presented additional challenges, leading to temporary closures of export markets again in an industry that was still on its recovery path. The financial pressures on farmers are immense, and we will have clarity about the scale in the coming months. What has been encouraging is the collaboration between the department of agriculture and organised agriculture in containing the disease and facilitating vaccination on the affected farms. We can expect the vaccination process to gain momentum in the last week of June. However, the key to the long-term success of the industry lies in improving animal health, developing vaccines domestically and implementing better surveillance, among other interventions. Efforts on this vital issue should continue through the collaboration of various stakeholders, including the government, the private sector and organised agriculture. SA must leverage existing private sector expertise as the process to improve state-owned facilities, such as the Onderstepoort Biological Products, a state-owned vaccine manufacturer, is under way. We no longer need just one centre of manufacturing, but rather multiple centres where capabilities exist. This intervention is key not only for preserving the country's share of the industry but also for creating room for new entrant farmers. It is hard to talk about the integration of black farmers into commercial value chains when the risks of disease remain high and can be financially devastating to businesses. The recent statements by agriculture minister John Steenhuisen regarding the department's commitment to strengthening animal and plant health are encouraging. Indeed, in the near term, the focus is on vaccination; however, beyond that process, we must adopt a careful approach to reviving domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities and involve the private sector. Thereafter, also nudge the department of public works and infrastructure to assist with fencing to ensure the strict control of animal movement in the country. In the former homelands regions of SA, the traditional leaders have an essential role to play in managing the movement of livestock. The task cannot be left solely to the government. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that SA's animal health is a priority. The livestock industry is an anchor of the South African farming economy. The livestock and poultry industries account for nearly half of our agricultural fortunes, with significant contributions by black farmers as part of the inclusive growth agenda. As I have noted in the past, while we now struggle with foot-and-mouth disease, what we have learnt from recent experience is that this may not be the last outbreak, and there may be future outbreaks of various diseases in other value chains. Therefore, SA, more than ever, should increase its investment in animal health by allocating better resources to infrastructure and human capital. For the Eastern Cape, the cattle industry is key and also holds potential for the province's economic recovery, along with other agricultural activities. • Wandile Sihlobo is the chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA. The Herald
