The West Coast Ostrich Empowerment Project
The West Coast District Municipality (WCDM) is seeking investment in a new agri-business venture in the region that will create an opportunity for previously disadvantaged individuals with a farming background to get involved in mainstream agriculture.
The west coast region has been identified as an ideal location for the project. For more information on the local municipalities in the WCDM, all of which are potential locations for investment in ostrich agri-processing:
Bergrivier
Cederberg
Matzikama
Saldanha Bay
Swartland
The West Coast Ostrich Empowerment Project will not only enrich the lives of the farmers involved, but it will provide a boost to the local economy and thereby enhance the lives of the local communities supported by the industry.
The objective of the proposed joint venture involves an agreement to use the available resource base at Swartland Ostriches Ltd (incl. ostrich knowledge, farming business track record, export abattoir, international marketing channels, need for greater volume), BEE co-operative partners, government support and banks, and to set up a new line of ostrich production, involving an additional slaughter capacity of 2 500 ostriches at the Swartland abattoir.
Ostrich products have proved extremely popular around the world, from the low-fat, low-cholesterol meat to the ornamental feathers and eggs. Nothing is wasted, making the farming and processing of ostriches potentially a very lucrative endeavour. For a full list of ostrich products, as well as insight into the industry in South Africa visit the Ostrich Business Chamber.
The project would focus on raising 2 500 ostriches in Year 1 with an escalation of another 3 000 in Year 5, presenting an opportunity to expand Swartland's ostrich production supply side in the West Coast region.
The project involves the establishment of a business model on four legs:
1. Production
The setting up of five primary ostrich farming cooperatives, each as new ostrich producers on their own land portions
2. Breeder Unit
A breeding unit at one of the units will produce day-old chicks from Year 3 onwards
3. Management and technical support
A specialist technical team will be contracted to provide management and technical support to all cooperatives
4. West Coast Ostrich Farming Cooperative
This is the legal entity set up to promote and manage the project.
The project proposal presents an opportunity to expand the ostrich production supply side in the West Coast region. The opportunity capitalises on a socio-political and economically aware environment where both Government and South African organised agriculture, demonstrate a commitment to create the climate for business development mutually benefiting the established ostrich business sector and the primary agricultural co-operative partners.
For more information on the West Coast District Municipality and the opportunities available please contact Mr Marthinus Boois by email on mboois@wcdm.co.za or by tel: +27 22 433 8530.
