Traceability systems in Swaziland and Namibia: Improving access to markets with digital information

Abstract

With traceability systems becoming increasingly important, Swaziland and Namibia invested heavily in traceability systems, and achieved sufficient meat traceability for them to be able to export to countries in Europe and other parts of the world. The projects now include communal farmers, farmers who were previously excluded from this initiative. Case studies and interviews with key role players confirmed that the projects are sustainable, and that communal farmers are benefitting, but that further research is required to determine the full scope of the benefits. Farmers still need to be better educated and more funds are needed to better the working conditions of the veterinary assistants in Swaziland. However, the projects are ensuring that people will have safe meat to eat, not only for now, but also in the future.