Initiative looks to boost market access, construct abattoir
In The Rep article published on 21 February 2025, it was stated that Agri EC aims to unify black meat farmers. We would like to correct this statement. The initiative to unify black meat farmers is actually led by the Eastern Cape Group Farmers, not Agri EC. We apologize for the error. – Read the corrected version below.
Eastern Cape Group Farmers is launching a new initiative to support and bring black farmers in the Eastern Cape together under one umbrella, particularly in the meat industry.
The goal is to help them tap into the commercial market, which black farmers have not been able to access, despite them owning significant numbers of sheep and cattle.
Eastern Cape Group Farmers chair Vuyolwethu Silwana, said the province’s farmers missed an opportunity with Karan Beef —SA’s largest beef supplier —which needs 2,000 cattle per week.
Silwana also mentioned a take-off agreement with Kenya for 200 sheep per week, but farmers had struggled to meet the demand.
Despite efforts to get farmers to collaborate, some were hesitant to join forces . “The new structure aims to bring farmers together under one umbrella, enabling them to benefit equally from the economy,” Silwana said.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the department of rural development and agrarian reform (DRDAR) are constructing an abattoir,” Silwana said.
He said the goal of the abattoir was to enable farmers to sell their cattle at a fair price, and through using the government-built facility. This collaboration is expected to improve customer satisfaction and increase market access for black farmers.
Eastern Cape Group Farmers hopes bridging the gap to support black farmers in the meat industry will promote economic equality.
“We have reached an agreement that from February 24, we will be visiting the Chris Hani district to ensure structures are formed at district level.
Private abattoirs, where black farmers are currently taking their cattle, are paying us significantly less than the fair market value,” Silwana said.
Eastern Cape rural development and agrarian reform MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, and Chris Hani district mayor Lusanda Sizani could not attend the meeting due to an ANC lekgotla the same day. The MEC expressed her support for the programme in a letter.
“The new structure will facilitate collaboration, information sharing, and access to government programmes and private sector resources.
“This initiative recognises that black farmers have previously worked in silos, hindering their ability to benefit from existing support systems,” he said.
By bringing farmers together under a unified structure, the entity aims to improve efficiency and access to information, increase collaboration and reduce divisions, and enhance quality and promote better resource allocation.
Silwana said the collaborative approach is expected to add value to farmers’ operations, ultimately leading to increased productivity and profitability.
“Key benefits of the new structure include access to government programmes and funding, links with private sector resources and markets, exposure to best practices and expertise, improved resource allocation and reduced costs, and enhanced collaboration and reduced conflicts.”
The department of land reform and rural development’s, Ayanda Ngqandu,
lamented historical challenges farmers faced in working together, which hindered their progress despite the government creating programmes to assist them with development.
He highlighted past challenges where farmers struggled to collaborate, leading to under-utilisation of resources the government had tried to assist with like feedlots and grain silos, among others.
“The government invested in establishing feed lots but it died down, they built grain silos but these things are not being used.
“These are the things that we seek for changes for stability in the economy,” Ngqabdu said.
ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
