THE FUSE

Co-operatives play a critical role in strengthening South Africa’s livestock sector by providing farmers with access to resources, markets, and technical support. For small and medium-scale livestock farmers, joining a co-operative can reduce the challenges of high input costs, limited market access, and insufficient infrastructure. By pooling resources, farmers can buy feed, vaccines, and equipment at bulk rates, improving efficiency and reducing production costs. Co-operatives also provide a platform for knowledge sharing, enabling members to learn best practices in animal health, breeding, and pasture management.