New proposals for troubled sheep industry

STAFF REPORTERWINDHOEKNew proposals to turn around the country's troubled sheep industry were tabled at a seminar in Windhoek last week.Organised by the Meat Board of Namibia, producers were represented by the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) at the seminar.According to the NAU, the sheep industry is on its knees due to many years of drought and government's devastating small-stock marketing scheme. Submissions were made by, among others, the managing director of Hartlief, Gunther Ling, who runs the sheep export abattoir in Mariental, southern sheep farmer Nico Strauss, Dr Anja Boshoff of the Meat Board and Cyprianus Khaiseb, a butchery owner. Policy certainty“The first and most important step to take is to establish policy certainty with primary producers. Without policy certainty, producers will not reinvest in the industry and will not increase production, which will in turn create new jobs,” according to the NAU. Recommendations emanating from the seminar included getting sheep production back on track using incentives and other support to farmers, as well as ensuring free trade. “As is the case with cattle, a Namibian sheep export abattoir will find it difficult to be viable if exports are to South Africa only. International markets that offer exchange rate benefits are critical to enabling abattoirs in an unregulated market to gain a foothold in this value chain,” the NAU added.Other priorities mentioned were effective leadership and a unified industry, as well as solutions to unlock underutilised land for increased production and being better prepared for the next drought. Beef industry challenges Challenges facing the beef industry were also discussed. The meeting culminated in the formulation of a list of priorities, which will soon be taken up with government with a view to urgently intervene.According to the NAU, attendees voted to confirm the principle that cattle are automatically attracted to different value chains based on trust in the value chain and the price the chain pays. Export abattoirs have access to the best markets in the world, but struggle to compete in the market, the NAU said. “If slaughter costs per kilogram of carcass decrease, this value chain will attract enough beef to be sustainable.” Bigger budgetThe NAU said another priority highlighted at the meeting was that the agricultural sector deserves a greater bite from the national budget. It said this should be at least 10% as undertaken in the Maputo Declaration ratified by the government in 2003. Also, the promotion of free trade, instead of regulation, has been ratified as a priority.Other issues the meeting felt needed attention included the implementation of the national grazing strategy that was published last year, the strengthening of local producers' organisations and targeted research and mentoring as well as achieving a healthy balance between local slaughter and weaner calves.Meat Board general manager Paul Strydom said these priorities will now be presented to the organisation's Livestock Marketing Committee and will then be discussed with government representatives.

New proposals for troubled sheep industry

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-01-08

Please login to leave a comment

New proposals for troubled sheep industry

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-01-08

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content