The Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) and the Eastern Cape Department of Agriculture, invites you to participate in the Livestock Transformation Conference 2026 . This strategic virtual event aims to advance inclusive growth and sustainability within South Africa’s livestock sector .
Conference Purpose and Focus
The conference will address ongoing challenges, particularly in the Eastern Cape, where significant livestock resources remain underutilised . It serves as a platform to align stakeholders with the Agriculture and Agro-Processing Master Plan (AAMP), a key framework designed to boost food security, open markets, and promote inclusive rural growth . The plan has shown measurable progress in production volumes for key commodities like maize and fruit .
Key Themes and Objectives
The event will focus on addressing critical constraints hindering livestock sector transformation. These include market access, animal health, infrastructure, and funding challenges . The goal is to accelerate the meaningful participation of emerging and black farmers in the value chain . Participants will engage in knowledge-sharing, explore best practices, and contribute to developing actionable strategies that foster competitiveness, innovation, and equitable participation .
Who Should Attend
This conference is designed for a diverse range of stakeholders, including farmers, industry leaders, policymakers, financiers, researchers, and agribusinesses . The AAMP is built on multi-stakeholder collaboration, involving government, the private sector, and labour . The event provides a critical interface for these groups to address shared challenges and co-design solutions.
Sectoral Context and Urgency
The conference comes at a crucial time for the livestock sector. Biosecurity threats, such as foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, pose significant risks and require a coordinated national response . The AAMP has identified structural challenges, including fragmented coordination and under-resourced programme management, which must be addressed to achieve the plan’s transformative vision by 2030.
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Connect and Contribute
This virtual event offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain insights into policy and investment, and contribute to shaping a sustainable future for the livestock industry. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation and help drive transformation.
Event Details:
- Date: 21 – 22 July 2026
- Time: 09:00
- Platform: MS Teams
- Register here: Livestock Transformation Conference Registration
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