Farmers in the Karoo face many challenges. The current devastating drought, for example, is on the mind of every farmer in the region. However, even in normal years with decent rainfall and sufficient grazing, they have to contend with predators, stock theft and low meat prices.
MISUSE OF THE KAROO NAME
Yet another challenge faced by Karoo farmers is that they struggle to get a substantive premium for their lamb, due to misuse of the name ‘Karoo’. The reduction of its reputational and market value occurs through the misappropriation of the label ‘Karoo lamb’ by farmers outside the region, unscrupulous livestock agents, abattoirs, retailers and restaurateurs, all free-riding on the image and reputation of the Karoo.
By equating all lamb with Karoo lamb and suggesting that it comes from the Karoo’s beautiful open and clean spaces, they are robbing Karoo farmers of the chance to obtain a price that is related to the quality and authenticity of their product.
Now, finally, the South African government has come to the aid of Karoo farmers to help them move their product out of the commodity market and to the niche market of authentic and origin-based food with a regional and specific character that can only be found in a specific region. Karoo lamb, as defined, can thus only be farmed in the Karoo, on natural Karoo veld.
GEOGRAPHIC INDICATION
Denne historien er fra Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra Farmers Weekly 8 November 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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