The Red Meat Industry Services (RMIS) introduced its project portfolio.

These projects are a strategic collection of initiatives crafted to meet industry demands, with a focus on addressing pivotal challenges, seizing emerging opportunities, and fostering innovation throughout the entire value chain, signifying a joint effort towards industry advancement.

A strategic vision for progress

The heart of these projects lies in the Red Meat Industry Strategy 2030, a visionary roadmap that outlines the steps required to elevate the industry’s performance and competitiveness. Recognising the necessity of actionable interventions to translate strategic objectives into tangible outcomes, RMIS has embarked on an ambitious journey to enact meaningful change at every level of the red meat sector.

Diverse and impactful initiatives

Spanning a wide spectrum of focus areas, RMIS’s project portfolio encompasses initiatives aimed at enhancing traceability, promoting sustainable farming practices, improving disease management, ensuring meat safety, fostering market access, combating livestock theft, facilitating communication, and driving research and development. The budgeted income for the 2023/2024 period amounts to R44 million and it is made up of the projects set out below:

1. Recordkeeping systems communication and data sharing (Traceability)

This project focuses on identifying, capturing, and efficiently sharing relevant traceability and production data in a standardised language, with the objective of championing industry traceability and data sharing to enhance production and trade. (Funding: 19% -R7,000,000)

2. Small scale farmer development (LDS project first project)

This initiative aims to enhance the commercialisation of small-scale farmers through practical implementation and mentorship. RMIS has been designated as the implementing body for the Land Development Support (LDS) programme on behalf of DALLRD, overseeing a five-year initiative involving 35 farmers and an annual budget of R220 million. The objective is to promote sustainable production practices and facilitate small-scale farmer development through a turn-key offering. (Project is self-funded)

3. Mobile cattle processing units for small-scale farmers (Inclusive growth)

The project aims to develop, equip, and manage Mobile Cattle Processing Units to facilitate comprehensive animal processing for the LDS project and to cater to small-scale farmers. By enhancing accessibility to processing facilities, the initiative seeks to improve animal health and economic value. (Funding: 8% – R3 000 000)

4. Small-scale farmer training (Inclusive growth)

This initiative focuses on providing comprehensive training to small-scale farmers, covering various aspects such as production systems, reproduction, health, grazing, management, finances, and marketing. Additionally, educational content will be developed for secondary school students in collaboration with the Department of Education. The primary objective is to enhance small-scale farmer production and profitability while promoting livestock education at the secondary school level. (Funding: 14% – R5 400,000)

5. Industry animal disease recording system and vet support services

Identifying, capturing, analysing, and sharing veterinarian data on national disease occurrence to provide proactive treatment approaches, thereby enabling a national view of animal diseases to address issues promptly. (Funding: 10% – R3 700,000)

6. Feedlot market in FMD red zone (inclusive growth)

Creating a feedlot market in the red zone to limit cattle movement out of the area for marketing, thus mitigating the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) while creating economic value. (Funding: 5% – R2 000,000)

7. Industry meat safety recording system and vet support services

Identifying, capturing, analysing, and sharing national meat safety data to address concerns, ensure compliance, and promptly recall/address safety issues. (Funding: 10% – R4 000,000)

8. SA red meat certification (Market access, Export)

Providing a value chain certification for meat sold to consumers to ensure biosecurity, animal welfare, and meat safety through a value chain audit process, thereby enhancing market access and export opportunities. (Funding: 12% – R4 700,000)

9. Stock theft

Providing training to combat livestock theft and facilitate meetings to address theft cases and issues, with the aim of decreasing animal theft and enhancing prosecution of offenders. (Funding: 5% – R2 000 000)

10. Production development through communication

Developing content to be communicated to primary producers to increase production, competitiveness, and sustainability, thus enhancing primary production. (Funding: 9% – R3 400,000)

11. Consumer communication and education through Beef and Lamb SA

Promoting red meat consumption among consumers by providing scientific and industry feedback and highlighting the importance of red meat in a balanced diet and its preparation. (Funding: 2% – R700 000)

12. Research & development

Amongst other research and developing projects focussing on and implementing a beef grading system to enhance quality consistency, adherence to consumer preferences, and unlock premiums locally and internationally. (Funding: 8% -R3,300,000)

Collaborative partnerships

Central to the success of these initiatives are the collaborative partnerships forged by RMIS with government agencies, educational institutions, industry associations, and private sector stakeholders. RMIS seeks to maximise the impact of its projects and effect meaningful change across the entire red meat ecosystem.

Measuring success: metrics of impact

To gauge the effectiveness and impact of its interventions, RMIS has outlined a set of performance metrics, including the number of export markets opened, the volume of commercially slaughtered animals, and the success stories arising from flagship projects such as the Land Development Support (LDS) initiative. These metrics will serve as vital indicators of progress towards the overarching goals of the Red Meat Industry Strategy.