Nearly 280 livestock animals exhibited at Okakarara fair

Livestock breeders at this year's Okakarara Annual Trade Fair were not waiting for the auctioneer's hammer to fall to sell their animals.

Instead, farmers exhibiting nearly 280 goats and sheep at the 18th edition of the trade fair were encouraged to deal directly with potential buyers, as organisers used the event to create business connections among breeders from across the country.

The Okakarara Annual Trade Fair, which ran from 30 August to 6 September, registered more than 240 exhibitors across its different sections, including agriculture, industry and other exhibitions.

Luther Ripunda Kanguu, the chairperson of the Okakarara Trade Fair Society's livestock section, said the livestock component was designed to give farmers a platform to showcase what they produce, receive feedback on their animals and market them directly.

The livestock programme started with goats, with about 87 animals exhibited, followed by 189 sheep.

“Farmers are exhibiting what they are producing and what they are doing,” Kanguu said.

The animals were assessed by judges, who examined different characteristics considered important for livestock breeding.

Kanguu said factors such as an animal's physical structure and the strength of its legs were among the features considered, particularly as livestock in semi-arid areas may have to travel long distances in search of grazing.

He said the judging process also gave farmers an opportunity to receive guidance on the qualities they should consider when breeding animals.

“The judges are putting the farmers on the right track by giving them direction,” he said.

No auction

While previous editions of the livestock section included an auction, Kanguu said no formal auction was held this year.

Instead, the organisers created a platform for farmers to meet one another and engage directly with potential buyers.

The animals on display came from various parts of the country, bringing breeders together in Okakarara and giving visitors an opportunity to view animals they may not ordinarily encounter in their own areas.

Kanguu said someone travelling to the fair from another part of the country could see an animal they wanted and negotiate directly with the farmer.

“We created this network for the farmers and this platform for farmers to network and to sell their produce,” Kanguu said.

The livestock exhibition formed part of the 18th edition of the Okakarara Annual Trade Fair, which drew more than 240 registered exhibitors during the week-long event.