N$500m extra income for NCAs with proper cattle offtake

If offtake of cattle similar to that in the south of Namibia could be obtained in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), an additional income of more than N$500 million would flow into the region.This according to Meat Board CEO Paul Strydom, who said addressing the non-marketing of cattle in the NCAs will this year remain a hot topic and focus area for the board.“The low offtake of cattle in these areas is attributed to various reasons. However, if an offtake of cattle similar to that of the south could be obtained, it is estimated that an additional income of approximately N$540 million would flow to the region.”He said the maintenance of the Veterinary Cordon Fence will also be a top priority for the Meat Board of Namibia during 2022.According to Strydom, the increasing elephant population, destroys the fence on a regular basis in search of additional grazing and water sources.“To maintain the integrity of this fence, the Meat Board started and will continue to electrify hotspots along the fence line.”He stressed that Namibia’s Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free status would be lost if the integrity of the fence is compromised, resulting in the country losing all its lucrative markets.However, limited lucrative, non-sensitive markets do exist which Namibia could use as alternatives, he said.ProgressStrydom said the Meat Board continues to make a significant contribution to the progress of the country’s meat industry.Over the past few years, it has successfully managed the sector, gaining access to several international meat markets, he said. According to him, meat exports are undertaken to a diversified market portfolio that includes the European Union, Norway, South Africa, the USA and China.“Namibian producers are still recovering from devastating consecutive droughts over the past couple of years. A general shortage of slaughter animals for sustainable throughput at local exports and provision of meat to local as well as international markets exists,” Strydom said, adding that a moratorium prevails on the importation of meat from South Africa due that country’s FMD status.According to him, these factors have led to prices becoming exceptionally beneficial to local livestock producers.The prospect for a normal to above normal rainfall season exists, he said, which will enable the industry to continue a herd rebuilding phase during 2022.Livestock marketedThe number of livestock marketed in Namibia between January and December 2021 decreased by 10%, while sheep marketing increased by 5% year-on-year.Goats recovered the quickest with an increase of 28% year-on-year.“Forecasts by the Meat Board indicate that cattle numbers to be marketed will continue to decrease, while sheep and goats will continue to increase during 2022.”Strydom said weaner calf exports remain one of the cornerstones of the Namibian meat industry, with producers receiving competitive prices when selling animals to South African feedlots.He added that during 2022, the Meat Board will ensure that the marketing environment is maintained to grow the industry to post-independence levels (1990- 1995).“By doing so, the livestock and meat sector will increase its contribution to the agricultural gross domestic product.”He said the Meat Board will also disseminate topical production information to livestock producers to improve production and profitability.“Attending and presenting such information to farmers associations, regional farmers unions and information days across the country will form the backbone of this initiative.”LevyFinally, Strydom said the Meat Board will need to negotiate with government for the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) to receive sufficient funding to fulfil its obligations in terms of animal disease control and export certification.“The imposition of the essential veterinary services levy by the Meat Board will assist DVS by approximately a third of its current budgetary needs. This levy still needs to be gazetted by the agriculture minister.”ellanie@namibiansun.com

N$500m extra income for NCAs with proper cattle offtake

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

Please login to leave a comment

N$500m extra income for NCAs with proper cattle offtake

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

Please login to leave a comment

Login