North West Invests R36.8M to Boost Red Meat Sector, Empower Rural Farmers

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has unveiled a bold new initiative with a R36.856 million investment into the Red Meat Industry Development and Enhancement Programme, signaling a transformative step towards revitalizing livestock farming and rural economies across the province. The announcement was made by MEC Madoda Sambatha during his department’s 2025/26 policy and budget speech at the North West Provincial Legislature.

The ambitious programme aims to position the North West province as a national leader in red meat production, while empowering smallholder farmers, creating jobs, and strengthening value chain participation across underserved communities.

Supporting Over 7,000 Farmers

The initiative is expected to directly benefit 7,242 farmers, including:

• 4,728 men

• 2,219 women

• 252 youth

• 43 persons with disabilities

This diverse demographic reach reflects the programme’s inclusive focus and its alignment with the province’s broader rural development and economic empowerment objectives.

“These numbers are not just statistics,” said MEC Sambatha. “They represent families, communities, and a new generation of black farmers who will drive the future of livestock production in this province.”

Beef Beneficiation Aggregation Model

At the heart of the programme is a beef beneficiation aggregation model — a comprehensive framework aimed at:

• Enhancing farmer coordination and collective production

• Improving local meat processing and cold chain capacity

• Establishing sustainable access to commercial markets

• Boosting rural infrastructure around feedlots, logistics, and technical support

The model seeks to consolidate cattle farming activities at local aggregation points where animals can be weighed, assessed, fed, and processed under standardized quality conditions — a vital step to ensure farmers meet commercial market requirements and achieve better margins.

Prioritizing Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District has been identified as a priority area due to its high concentration of beef farming activities. The region plays a critical role in the provincial red meat value chain, with many emerging farmers historically locked out of formal markets due to infrastructure, finance, and knowledge gaps.

By focusing development efforts here, the department aims to create a functional and scalable model that can be replicated across other districts.

Job Creation and Economic Upliftment

In addition to improving production, the programme is expected to deliver substantial employment gains, with:

• 321 temporary jobs, and

• 87 permanent jobs

These roles will span aggregation centers, transport and logistics, technical extension services, and feedlot management, supporting skills development and rural industrialization.

MEC Sambatha emphasized that this investment is about more than financial input — it is about fundamentally reshaping the province’s red meat economy:

“This is more than just funding; it is a bold statement of intent. We are transforming the red meat value chain, unlocking opportunities for emerging farmers, and positioning the North West as a powerhouse in livestock production.”

A Broader Vision for Rural Growth

The Red Meat Industry Development and Enhancement Programme forms a central pillar in the department’s wider strategy to:

• Advance rural development

• Increase household incomes

• Reduce unemployment, especially among youth and women

• Enhance food security

• Stimulate local agro-processing industries

It also supports broader national objectives under South Africa’s Agricultural and Agro-processing Master Plan (AAMP) and aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to drive inclusive growth through agricultural transformation.

Sambatha added,

“Through this programme, we are not only empowering our farmers, but also driving economic growth, boosting job creation, and laying a solid foundation for long-term food security and agro-industrial development.”

Building a Competitive and Inclusive Sector

The Department believes that through strategic funding, capacity building, and value chain integration, the North West province can elevate its red meat sector into a globally competitive and inclusive industry. The department is already collaborating with livestock associations, cooperatives, technical experts, and development agencies to ensure successful implementation.

In the long term, the goal is to increase provincial and national GDP contributions, reduce import dependency, and foster an export-ready meat production ecosystem rooted in smallholder participation and local beneficiation.

As the programme rolls out over the coming months, it is expected to serve as a beacon of rural resilience, demonstrating how targeted investments can unlock value in traditional sectors and help bridge inequality gaps in South Africa’s agricultural landscape.