Pholosho Monnapule – Rainbow Export Manager
South Africa continues to face two pressing challenges: youth unemployment and food security.
While the country’s agricultural sector holds significant opportunity, many young people in rural communities cannot gain entry because the systems that enable participation are uneven.
Rainbow believes poultry uniquely sits at the intersection of solving both these endemic problems.
As the most widely consumed and affordable source of protein, it plays a critical role in feeding the nation, but its importance has the potential to go beyond mere production. There is a hereto untapped opportunity to create sustainable economic participation at scale.
Realising this potential; however, will require a shift in focus.
Growth in poultry cannot be viewed through production alone. It depends on the strength of the full value chain, from input supply and skills development, to efficient production and reliable market access.
Closing this access gap requires deliberate, coordinated action across the value chain, because true potential is only unlocked when everyone gets to participate equally.
That’s why Rainbow’s focus is on strengthening the systems that enable participation.
This includes improving access to key inputs through initiatives such as Rainbow Day Old Chicks, where depots are being established closer to rural farming communities. By reducing the distance between farmers and essential inputs, we are helping to improve planning, reduce cost pressures, and support more efficient production.
Simultaneously, continued investment in skills development and farmer engagement remains critical to building long-term capability within the sector. We believe that sustainable growth is not achieved through celebrating single, isolated successes, instead it is built by enabling many producers to participate and succeed within a connected, equitable system.
In doing so, poultry can continue to play a meaningful role, not only in nourishing the nation, but in building more resilient rural economies, stabilising food security, and allowing young people the opportunity to realise their potential.
South Africa continues to face two pressing challenges: youth unemployment and food security.
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