AU-IBAR organised a workshop on “Validation Workshop for development of value chain (VC) analysis and mapping prototype tool for the red meat and live animals in Southern Africa region” from 4th to 6th July 2022. The workshop was held in Arusha, Tanzania. The main objective of the workshop was to validate the technical report of the Value Chain Analysis and Mapping prototype tool for the SADC regional Red Meat and Live animal Livestock Value Chain.
The meeting was convened by 54 participants from 11 SADC countries (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). Country delegations consisted of Directors of Animal Production, Chief Veterinary Officers, National Coordinators of Animal Genetic Resources, representatives of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), representatives of breeder/farmers association (Tuli Cattle federation Southern Africa), Representatives of the livestock registrar, Trade and marketing sector and representatives of the private sector.
During the workshop opening, The Director of AU-IBAR, Dr Nick Nwankpa, highlighted the novel approach of the SADC region to develop a digital tool value Chain analysis tool (VCAT) for the RMLAVC. He noted that the tool once developed would be customized for other Livestock Value Chains, enabling a harmonised approach for regional livestock value chains to become more efficient. In addition, he emphasised that the report provided a good foundation for the development of a regional upgrading strategy of the priority value chain. He also added that the strategy will be the compass that will guide the SADC region member states towards strategic actions that will promote a market-oriented value chain system.
His Excellency the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries, Tanzania Hon Mashimba Ndaki, highlighted the critical role of livestock in the SADC region and the progression of the RMLALVC in Tanzania. In addition, he reiterated the importance of the outputs from the deliberations and the positive impact they will have in the complimenting the existing regional instruments and frameworks He called upon the countries to promote regional integration and collaboration so as to achieve their common goal of posterity and prosperity.
Speaking on behalf of the secretary general of COMESA, Mr Pardon Njerere pointed out that livestock regional value chains remain key for regional integration and expanded trade gains within SADC, COMESA, Africa and beyond. He further highlighted that the potential to compete effectively in global red meat and live animal value chain is hinged on our ability to transform the livestock systems and be able to harness our veterinary, research and production potentials in the SADC region.
By the end of the workshop, participants were able to validate the proposed value chain analysis prototype tool and enriched the technical report of the value chain analysis and mapping of the RMLALVC for the Southern African Development Community. In addition, a draft regional upgrading strategy for the RMLALVC was developed.
The activity was undertaken through the AU-IBAR "Sustainable Development of Livestock for Livelihoods in Africa Project - Live2Africa, funded by the European Union, with the general objective of supporting the transformation of the African livestock sector for an increased contribution to sustainable and climate-resilient, socio-economic development and equitable growth. The project focuses on capacity building in 7 livestock components being Investment in value chains, Animal Health, Animal Production, Productivity and Ecosystem Management, Resilience Building, Technology adoption in the Value Chains to inputs, Services and markets and strengthening institutional capacities.
