South Africa’s private sector must become more involved in agricultural export promotion and the production of animal vaccine production.
This is the view of agricultural economist Wandile Sihlobo, in a blog looking at the long-term growth of South African agriculture.
Vaccine manufacturing, collaboratively with the private sector, needed to gain momentum, Sihlobo said.
“The Department of Agriculture, through the revival of the Onderstepoort Biological Products, can have a significant effect, but that will not be sufficient. The times have changed, and disease occurrences have become more prevalent, making it even more urgent to expand risk mitigation efforts.
“This can be achieved by also assigning private laboratories to produce the vaccine alongside the revival of Onderstepoort Biological Products.”
The expansion of export markets should also be part of the agricultural growth agenda.
“As with biosecurity, this work should not necessarily be solely in the government’s hands. The private sector could provide key insights and research to support the government’s efforts in selecting priority markets for potential diversification.
“Collaboration with the private sector on trade matters is key, as the private sector is aware of regions where they already have easier access to establishing logistical networks essential for goods trade,” Sihlobo said.
