Published February 04, 2010 06:22
Meatco Namibia has introduced a system of buying cattle on the hoof for cash from communal farmers in the Northern Communal Area (NCA) of the country. This system was introduced in September 2009 and has many communal farmers happy due to the hassle free system. Once a price has been mutually agreed a farmer can get his money on the spot for his cattle.
This scheme has proven to be very popular with the communal farmers and has contributed to an increase in cattle marketed to Meatco.
Prior to September 2009, the South African market required that cattle from NCA be quarantined, however this ban was been lifted and has made it easier for meat from the NCA to be exported into this market. The only areas that are still exposed to quarantine are the Mukwe and Ndiyona Constituency in Kavango region, as well as the whole Caprivi region due to the status of FMD.
The benefits of the live cattle buying system are enormous, especially to the farmer as the 21 waiting days at the quarantine facilities are now eliminated and the farmer receives money for his cattle immediately.
Furthermore any further risk in case of sickness or death of animal after transaction is transferred to Meatco, thus alleviating any burdens from the farmer.
In an attempt to enhance and add value, Meatco has introduced a better vacuum packing system for products out of the NCA, some of these are exported in frozen form to South Africa. Currently it is only meat from Oshakati factory that is exported whilst the product from Katima are marketed locally.
Meatco is also exploring new markets for the NCA cattle within the SADC region as well.