Black dairy farmers build legacies, but face market crisis

Milk is a powerful economic enabler and a cornerstone for many rural livelihoods, but for many black dairy producers, the opportunity it represents is still not fully within reach. NAMC agricultural economists Lwazi Dladla, Lesedi Mokoena, and Nokuthula Khulu explain why.

Milk is the first source of life, nature’s perfect sustenance; it fuels the fragile beginnings of infancy, fortifies growing bodies, and sustains generations with its unmatched nutritional wealth. Behind every litre of milk poured into a glass or crafted into cheese lies something far greater: continuity, opportunity, and resilience.

Over the past decade, the South African dairy industry has experienced a quiet but powerful transformation, largely driven by Milk SA’s commitment to empowerment, equity, and sustainability. Using 20% of dairy industry statutory levy funds, Milk SA has implemented impactful initiatives reshaping rural livelihoods, particularly in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KZN and North West provinces.

Milk SA’s transformation programme has evolved into more than a support mechanism; but a vehicle for survival and ambition for many black dairy farmers. By bridging critical gaps in an industry plagued by unequal access and systemic disadvantages, the organisation has empowered farmers with essential resources – from providing heifers and veterinary services to electrifying farms and ensuring a steady supply of feed.

Through Milk SA’s support, some farmers have also gained access to irrigation systems and comprehensive training in key business and agricultural practices, ranging from silage cutting to natural reproduction techniques.

Many of the Free State farmers involved in this programme carry profound, intergenerational connections to the land, rooted in resilience, legacy and a deep sense of purpose. Some inherited their farms through generational land purchases facilitated by the Land Bank and the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development and lease agreements.

Some farmers were on the verge of losing everything before Milk SA stepped in with its tangible and monitored support

Building legacies, not just dairy operations

The impact is profound, and one of the most transformative interventions has been infrastructural development. With the provision of electricity, solar power installations, and water licenses, farmers can now maintain consistent milking schedules and enhance product quality. Most farmers have expanded their operations from milking 15 cows to approximately 100, with ambitions of reaching or surpassing 200 cows.

A farmer who once started his mornings at 5 a.m. with just a handful of cows now oversees a thriving herd of over 160 cattle.

Their work extends far beyond just managing livestock and producing milk; they are building businesses, creating opportunities, and will leave behind legacies that will continue to contribute and shape the future of black commercial dairy farming.

Additionally, to enhance knowledge transfer and expose farmers to global best practices, certain farmers have been given the opportunity to visit and learn from the New Zealand dairy industry. This experience has provided them with valuable insights into advanced dairy farming techniques, efficient herd management, and sustainable dairy practices that can be adapted to local conditions.

Furthermore, investments in pasture establishment, dairy equipment upgrades, and workers’ accommodation have helped to transform under-resourced rural setups into semi-commercial dairy operations. These farms are beginning to resemble the future of South African agriculture: black-led, technologically advanced, and community-driven.

No market, no milk

However, even the best-supported farmer cannot thrive without a market. With the current milk buyer set to leave the Harrismith farmers in Free State and KZN, a significant challenge looms for local dairy farmers. Nonetheless, the current milk buyer will stop buying these farmers’ milk by the beginning of May 2025, having given farmers six six-month notice period.

For many of these farmers, the current buyer has been the primary buyer, providing milk tanks and subsidising transport costs. Farmers have voiced their concerns and, with the support of Milk SA, are struggling to find new buyers, emphasising that without stable market access, their ability to sustain and expand their operations is at risk.

This uncertainty has left some questioning the viability of their farms. A farmer who once sold 13 liters per cow daily now wonders whether their business can survive. Others are considering on-site processing, such as cheese and yoghurt production, to capture more value from their produce.

However, despite growing interest in agro-processing, most farmers lack the infrastructure and training in agro-processing and the equipment needed to make this transition viable. Nonetheless, Milk SA has been engaging the AgriBEE Directorate and other potential partners to resolve the matter.

Milk SA’s impact is real, but it cannot stand alone

Free State farmers speak candidly about their challenges, high feed costs, stock theft, water shortages, equipment limitations, and the emotional burden of sustaining operations with limited support. They acknowledge Milk SA’s role in helping them grow, yet many express frustrations with the pace of land reform, lack of consistent government extension services, and the absence of provincial alignment on transformation.

One farmer put it simply: “We want to grow; we are working hard. But the challenge is always feed, economical viable land size, and sufficient volume to meet market needs. If we get that, we can compete with anyone.”

Milk SA has delivered tangible results: over 1 300 heifers, hectares of pasture planted, training of dozens of farmers and their staff, and infrastructure to sustain production. Its current focus includes pasture development, solar systems, calf rearing pens, subsidy for feed supply, and private veterinary services support with co-funding models that require farmers to commit their own resources as well.

Still, the success of this transformation initiative cannot rest on Milk SA alone. The programme urgently needs stronger partnerships with provincial departments, additional investment into on-farm agro-processing facilities, and clearer pathways to secure market access. Without this, the sustainability of these black dairy enterprises remains fragile.

The progress made through Milk SA’s transformation programme proves that meaningful agricultural reform is not only possible but achievable with strategic vision, accountability, and targeted support. This is a testament to survival, ambition, and the power of transformation.

It is a journey marked by resilience – where the ability to milk a cow at dawn is not just an act of labour but a declaration of perseverance against historical exclusion, market instability, and infrastructural adversity. Transformation is not a single event; it is a continuous journey, and the blueprint has been laid.

The next chapter depends on a simple but profound truth: We build together, or we fall apart. We must rise as a collective, forging a stronger, more inclusive agricultural sector one farm – one heifer – one litre at a time.

Lwazi Dladla, Lesedi Mokoena, and Nokuthula Khulu are agricultural economists at the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC). The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Food For Mzansi.

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