Meatco listens to producers

Meatco's farmer liaison meetings for communal areas commenced in the Kunene and Otjozondjupa regions last month. According to Meatco, its business environment continues to change due to many external forces and therefore it is important to continuously engage with its key stakeholder which is the producer. These meetings aim to engage farmers on issues affecting them as valuable stakeholders to Meatco's business model. The meetings were presented under the theme, “The future of livestock farming in Namibia - where to from here”. The Kunene regional governor, Angelika Muharukua, welcomed Meatco to the region's capital, Opuwo, saying the region needs development and that visits like these provide platforms that enhance the sustainability of farming in the area. During the meetings Meatco touched on various issues affecting the business and highlighted to the farmers how to create sustainable farming. Meatco's executive for stakeholder relations and corporate affairs Vehaka Tjimune said farmers have to develop their cattle-farming methodology. Going forward, this can only be done by addressing personnel and industrial challenges by working closely with farmers' associations.Elias Leopoldt is a 63-year old farmer from Opuwo who was amongst the farmers attending the meeting. Leopoldt, a father of three and former employee of Meatco's Oshakati abattoir, said life has not been easy. “Closure of the northern abattoirs has had a negative impact on farmers in the Kunene Region since they make a living from farming by selling their cattle to pay for their children's education and medical bills.”With Namibia recovering from a post-drought year and farmers facing many other challenges such as animal disease and herd restocking Fillipus Tjiteere, who farms in the Okakarara area, thanked Meatco for the informative session held with them. He urged farmers to use the information shared through platforms like these, to take farming to the next level. He encouraged them to read Meatco's publications that are distributed at these meetings and that are aimed at assisting with sustainable farming. He concluded by saying that Meatco has become a good friend to farmers, therefore it remains important to foster good working relationships between all stakeholders. Meatco will continue to host more engagement meetings with farmers in both communal and commercial areas this year. More information surrounding these meetings will be communicated through the relevant channels.STAFF REPORTER

Meatco listens to producers

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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Meatco listens to producers

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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