Key agri opportunities in South Africa

Earlier this week, the Department of Trade and Industry minister, Dr Davies, introduced the Industrial Policy Action Plans (IPAPs) for the next two years. These are areas within the economy which hold greater promise to earn foreign exchange and grow jobs, and which therefore enjoy government incentives and support.

Key opportunities of interest to this website are listed here, and linked to the relevant chapter in The Agri Handbook:

• Fruit juices, indigenous teas (Red bush/rooibos and Honeybush), fruits and wine
• Fruit and vegetable canning
• Cassava (to increase production so as to replace imports)
• Biofuels
• Small-scale milling
• Broilers (chicken meat)
• The intervention in the food-processing sector is a skills programme
• Aquaculture
• Forestry (sawmilling, furniture manufacturing)

Although not agricultural of nature, of interest is the focus on renewable energy. Between 2011 and 2013 more than R100 Billion was committed towards developing renewable energy projects in this country. This is mainly solar and wind energy.

The oil & gas sector is also looked at (including shale gas).

Farm Africa: six phases in making money from aquaculture

Farm Africa is an NGO working with communities in Africa to "end hunger ... grow farming". Its July newsletter includes an 8-minute video on aquaculture, farming with fish. The video takes the viewer through 6 stages, from building the small dam to harvesting this vital source of protein. I enjoyed the accompanying music too: the cool guitar reminds me of South Africa's own Ray Phiri (overseas visitors may have heard him on Paul Simon's Graceland).

Aquaculture is included once again in South Africa's IPAPs as a sector singled out for financial support and emphasis (see previous blogs like "Farming in Cape Town" and "Interested in which South African agri sectors are set to receive energy and attention from government as per its strategy?").

Aquaculture is covered in The Agri Handbook. Find overviews, business plans, role players and further publications here.