May 25, 2006

African project aids farmers to step into global markets

An initiative has enabled more than 760 members in South Africa's northernmost province of Limpopo to make their first steps into the global markets.

The Beef Profit Partnership (BPP) project was launched in the north-west and Limpopo, in 2002 to benefit small-scale emerging farmers, some of whom used to be in subsistence farming. 

The project has sparked interest to improve profitability and members are keen to explore the latest methods in animal husbandry. Leaders of the project believe that these farmers would soon be able to gain a foothold in the premium beef markets, thus improving profitability significantly.

Preliminary research in South Africa and Australia has shown that indigenous Sanga breeds that originated several thousand years ago in Africa are comparable to commercial species for economically important traits.

Thanks to the projects, farmers were able to increase the volume of beef sold and have made improvements to the meat quality, Agriculture MEC Dikeledi Magadzi said.

The Australian government also received praise for launching the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in Limpopo. The centre helps convert subsistence cattle owners into farmers.

Australian High Commissioner Philip Green said that his office would work to bring better deals for South African emerging farmers and aid them in gaining access to international markets.