Embracing regenerative farming

STAFF REPORTERWINDHOEK Consumers around the world are more concerned than ever about the health status of products, how animals are reared and how products are processed. Consumers are also concerned about the economic and environmental challenges involved in the processing of products. Meatco CEO Mwilima Mushokabanji said the company embraces the regenerative farming concept. Through the Meatco Foundation, the company has piloted projects and has given capacity to various farmers across the country to implement regenerative farming practices. Local contextIn the local context, these include soil restoration using techniques such as biochar (charcoal production) and rangeland rehydration, as well as planned grazing. This is further enhanced by implementing rehabilitation measures such as over-seeding and animal-treated rangelands.Mushokabanji said regenerative farming is important for Meatco because, as a resource-based organisation, there is much reliance on cattle as throughput. Regenerative farming practices improve the production and sustainability of cattle farmers who supply Meatco. Therefore, it is a win-win situation for Meatco and the farmers.Environment-friendlyFurthermore, regenerative farming embraces environment-friendly practices. This is equally important for Meatco, whose core values include ethics, quality and environmental consideration. The organisation serves an international niche market that is health-conscious, therefore its customers prefer free-range, organic and hormone-free meat. “In a nutshell, regenerative farming is not only important for Meatco's value chain, but is equally important for the country during this era of climate change to ensure revival, competitiveness and sustainability of our agriculture industry, which significantly contributes to the gross domestic product of this nation,” Mushokabanji added. Farmers' days Meatco, in collaboration with the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), has started farmers' days, where they discuss regenerative farming. However, because of the coronavirus outbreak, the process continues via a WhatsApp platform where the NAU provides presentations as modules to the group.Meatco's technical adviser, Peter Krone, is the project coordinator. Interested farmers can contact him at 081 275 4396 for further information.

Embracing regenerative farming

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

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Embracing regenerative farming

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-06

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