Northern livestock hold great potential

STAFF REPORTERWINDHOEKMeatco drafts new marketing strategyMeatco’s NCA subsidiary strategy includes establishing abattoirs and enhancing market access for NCA livestock farmers.The Northern Communal Area (NCA) livestock sector has a lot of potential for growth.This was said by the CEO of Meatco’s subsidiary for the NCA, Kingsley Kwenani.He was one of the presenters at a Meat Board of Namibia consultative workshop on restoring and growing the NCA livestock and meat industry for held at Ondangwa last week.According to Meatco the NCA subsidiary strategy includes operationalisation of abattoirs and creation of markets for the NCA.It also aims at enhancing market access for NCA livestock farmers by facilitating market development within the NCA, south of the redline and internationally, ensuring market access and competitive prices.It further aims at enhancing the Meatco brand development, positioning, identification and product utilisation in the local market, through the Meatco export-quality brand known as MeatMa and operating NCA abattoirs. These include the Rundu Abattoir, Katima Mulilo Abattoir and the Mobile Slaughter Unit (MSU).FMD challengeAlthough foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a challenge for the NCA, the industry has been supporting the ministry to contain the outbreak.Unfortunately, FMD remains a stumbling block that requires critical thinking, hence the need to explore markets that do not have a problem with FMD, specifically in Africa.Secondly, the agriculture ministry has developed commodity-based trade protocols which could be used in marketing the products.These protocols require the utilisation of quarantine facilities, which require major renovations before they can conform to export requirements.Hence the need for DVS to expedite the repair process for these facilities, said Kwenani.Meatco's NCA subsidiary was mandated to unlock opportunities in the primary beef value chain of the NCA and if it is supported, farmers north of the veterinary cordon fence will be able to find value in their livestock just like those south of the fence.The subsidiary, established last year, has its own board and is expected to be a vehicle to unlock opportunities in the NCA.

Northern livestock hold great potential

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

Please login to leave a comment

Northern livestock hold great potential

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

Please login to leave a comment

Login