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To get the sleepy giant that is the South African red meat sector fighting fit, the Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) has launched its “Field to Future” process aimed at the alignment of research, development, and implementation efforts. The objective? To achieve the goals set out in the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030.
“A lot of interventions need to take place to bring home the biltong, and ‘Field to Future’ is exactly that – to get specific projects that can act as building blocks to the 2030 growth ambitions and get the red meat industry to the next level,” said Dr Phillip Oosthuizen, chief operation officer of RMIS.
Inclusion is key
“The idea is to get the needs analysis from the ground level up,” Dr Oosthuizen explained. The ‘Field to Future’ process aims to correctly allocate funding and ensure that the projects receiving funding aligns with the objectives of the 2030 growth ambitions, adding value to the industry. The industry needs to be able to say what the needs are, and this will allow alignment of the research projects with what the industry needs.
“The biggest objective is to marry the research or academic world with the industry, something that has been lagging for thirty years,” Dr Oostuizen says. This project will start with focus groups of everyone within the value chain, from small-scale farmers to veterinary workers. This will allow a better focus on intervention methods and improve success towards the 2030 growth ambitions.
The focus groups will allow everyone in the value chain a seat at the table, giving everyone a say in what happens and how the red meat industry can improve their quality, production, and much more to get to that next level and take the cake in South Africa’s economy.
2030 growth ambitions
The growth ambitions set out in the Red Meat Masterplan aims to improve the economy and red meat sector of South Africa. The RMIS aims to achieve these ambitions and bring home the bacon for the meat industry.
Some of the growth ambitions are:
- Increase agricultural GDP contribution: The strategy aims to increase red meat production by approximately 20%, adding an additional R12 billion to the agricultural GDP yearly by 2030.
- Export market growth: Currently, South Africa is exporting only 5% of its current red meat production. Actively pursuing new international markets and expanding current exports will ensure a successful movement to the 20% exports at the end of 2030.
- Increasing weaner calf production and enhancing production value: Whilst the space for an additional 250 000 weaner calves in the market will lead to increased weaner calf production, it will facilitate value growth of approximately R8,3 billion per annum in production value for the beef sector alone.
- Inclusive growth: The red meat sector of South Africa aims to grow the sector inclusively, allowing commercial and emerging farmers to grow, and actively participate and benefit in the value chain.
- Animal and public health: Improvement within the animal health sector is crucial to increase access to national and international markets leading to an increase of the export market, starting with better disease control, biosecurity measures, and efficient veterinary services.
Along with other sub-goals to achieve the growth ambitions by the year 2030, the RMIS plays a crucial role in this development. The ‘Field to Future’ project is one of them, allowing the Research and Development (R&D) initiative to grow the value chain and encourage cooperation throughout. – Elnieke Bronkhorst, Plaas Media.
For more information, please visit: www.rmis.co.za
