South Africa’s poultry master plan needs urgent action.

In 2019, South Africa’s Poultry Sector Master Plan (PSMP) was launched with bold ambitions: to protect the industry from dumped imports, boost local production, grow exports, create jobs, and expand black ownership.

Six years later, while the vision still resonates, the momentum behind it is fading.

The PSMP was designed as a joint public–private effort to rebuild the country’s broiler value chain, which had suffered years of damage from unfair trade. It focused on five key pillars: enforcing trade remedies, stimulating local demand and production, expanding exports, supporting transformation, and improving governance through a dedicated oversight council.

In its early phase, the plan showed real promise. The poultry industry responded quickly, committing over R2.2 billion in new investments — surpassing the initial R1.5 billion target. Trade measures, supported by bird flu outbreaks abroad, began to reduce dumped imports, offering local producers some relief.

Major producers expanded operations, onboarded contract growers, and created jobs. Emerging farmers were integrated into formal value chains through offtake agreements, marking visible progress in transformation. These developments proved that when government and industry worked in sync, results followed.

But since the last election, progress has stalled. Responsibility for the PSMP was shifted to deputy ministers, and political attention drifted. While government leaders, including Gauteng MEC Ramokgopa and Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, have reaffirmed their commitment — citing new financial packages, bird flu vaccination plans, and improved cold chains — much of it remains on paper.

Exports, a cornerstone of the plan, are still blocked by red tape. Negotiations with key markets like the EU, UAE, and Saudi Arabia have made little headway. Veterinary labs remain underfunded and understaffed, delaying health certification. As one insider put it, “Exports die in the lab. Producers are ready, but the paperwork isn’t.”

The plan also promised blended finance to help small and black-owned producers scale up. Yet funding access remains limited, and government-imposed conditions on vaccine rollouts have made key health programmes unaffordable and impractical for producers.

Ultimately, the Master Plan was never meant to be carried by the private sector alone. It’s a shared compact — one that depends on both sides delivering. The poultry industry has largely honoured its commitments. Now, government must match that effort with urgent, transparent and time-bound action.

South Africa’s poultry sector still holds massive potential — for rural jobs, food security, black empowerment and export growth. But unless government moves beyond promises to delivery, the PSMP risks becoming a cautionary tale of plans made, but not kept.

Namibian rumpsteak will be featured as a monthly special at Block House steak restaurants.

Namibian beef is celebrated worldwide for its exceptional quality, known for being free-range, grass-fed, and sustainably raised across the country’s expansive natural farmlands

From this Saturday, Namibian rumpsteak will be featured as a monthly special at Block House steak restaurants, a well-known chain with 42 locations across Germany.

Namibia holds the unique position as the only African nation authorised to export beef to both the United States and Europe, highlighting the country’s high production standards and strong international reputation.

After two and a half years of preparation, premium Namibian beef has been introduced more widely in Germany through a new agreement with Eugen Block Holding GmbH, one of Germany’s leading owner-managed hospitality companies. This group currently runs 47 Block House steakhouses across the country, alongside several Jim Block burger outlets.

This partnership offers German diners an authentic farm-to-table experience, showcasing Namibia’s rich agricultural tradition and dedication to quality.

According to the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), the agreement marks the successful culmination of efforts to establish a reliable supply of Namibian beef in Germany. This collaboration involved Namibian beef producers, South Trade GmbH, and Eugen Block Holding GmbH, with NIPDB playing a key role as facilitator alongside important stakeholders.

The introduction of Namibian beef in Block House restaurants fits well with NIPDB’s goal to promote Namibian products globally, emphasising Namibia as a producer of trusted, safe, and premium-quality food.

By securing partnerships with major hospitality brands like Block House, Namibia continues to highlight its premium export products while supporting sustainable growth for local farmers, processors, and exporters.

“Namibian beef stands out not only for its quality, but for the values behind it – being free-range, grass-fed, high animal welfare factors and sustainably produced. We are proud to have helped bring this exceptional product to one of Europe’s most respected restaurant groups,” said Valentin Külbs, managing director of South Trade GmbH.

“We are always looking to offer our guests something special,” said Markus Gutendorff, CEO of Block House Restaurantbetriebe AG.

“Namibian beef brings both quality and a compelling story of origin. It’s a perfect fit for our brand and our customers,” he added.

The goal of the project is to contribute to improved livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers in Uganda.

Uganda’s Parliament has approved a US$99.6mn loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to fund the Resilient Livestock Value Chain Project (ReLiV), aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers in 55 districts across the country

The loan request was presented by Henry Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (General Duties), chaired by Speaker Anita Among. Musasizi stated that “the goal of the project is to contribute to improved livelihoods of smallholder livestock farmers in Uganda. The project development objective is to enhance income, nutrition and resilience of smallholder dairy and beef producers.”

He noted that the selected districts fall within Uganda’s cattle corridor, areas marked by high poverty levels, food insecurity, and malnutrition. The project is expected to directly benefit 400,000 households and indirectly reach around 20 million people, with a minimum inclusion target of 40% women and 25% youth.

Despite the approval, the loan faced scrutiny in Parliament. Hon. John Bosco Ikojo, Chairperson of the Committee on National Economy, supported the loan but recommended a renegotiation to reduce funding for administrative and consumptive expenses in favour of inputs, equipment, and services. He highlighted that Shs600 million had been allocated for vehicles, which the committee viewed as an unnecessary cost. He further noted the limited time given to Parliament to properly review the loan documents.

Although the committee acknowledged the highly concessional nature of the loan—offering a 50-year repayment period and 0% interest—they expressed concerns over the distribution of funds. Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi criticised the allocation of US$59 million to institutions like the National Agricultural Research Organisation and Kawanda Research Institute, questioning the visibility of direct benefits to actual farmers. “You do not see a farmer, you only see government ranches being financed. So, who is benefiting from this loan?” he asked.

Musasizi defended the loan’s structure and urgency, clarifying that the agreement must be signed by 12 September 2025. “This loan has the best terms. The interest rate is zero and the repayment period is 50 years,” he emphasised, urging Parliament to proceed.

Biogas, sustainable farming, renewable energy, livestock farms, manure management, energy efficiency, agricultural sustainability, waste-to-energy, biogas systems, circular economy.

The increasing use of biogas electricity on livestock farms is reshaping how farmers handle manure, turning it into a valuable energy source

Traditionally, manure has been seen as waste, often causing environmental issues like water contamination and air pollution. However, with the growing emphasis on sustainable farming, biogas technology offers a dual solution—effective waste management and renewable energy production.

Biogas is generated through anaerobic digestion, a process that breaks down organic materials, such as manure, in the absence of oxygen. The outcome is methane, which can be converted into electricity or heat. This not only helps manage manure but also provides a clean alternative to traditional fossil fuels and grid electricity, helping farmers reduce energy costs and their environmental footprint.

In addition to environmental benefits, biogas systems offer significant financial advantages. Farmers can sell surplus electricity to the national grid, creating an additional revenue stream. The generated energy can also be used to power on-site operations, such as water pumping and heating systems for barns, reducing utility bills. Furthermore, the remaining digestate, the solid by-product of the biogas process, serves as a high-quality fertiliser, enriching the soil and closing the nutrient cycle.

Biogas is a key part of the broader push for renewable energy within agriculture. As the sector faces increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets, biogas technology presents a cost-effective, scalable solution that supports circular economies. It is particularly beneficial in areas with significant livestock farming, where manure is readily available as a raw material.

Despite its clear advantages, there are challenges to adopting biogas on a large scale. The initial installation costs of biogas systems can be high, and farmers may need technical expertise to operate them. However, government incentives, grants, and technical support are making it easier for farmers to invest in this technology.

In conclusion, biogas offers a promising solution for livestock farmers, transforming waste into valuable energy, lowering operational costs, and creating new income opportunities. As more farmers embrace this technology, biogas has the potential to significantly contribute to the sustainability and profitability of the agricultural sector, ensuring a cleaner, greener future for farming.