The annual Okakarara Trade Fair celebrated a decade this year with Meatco hosting a livestock exhibitors’ evening aimed at interacting stakeholders, farmers and prospective Meatco producers at the event.

An animal being viewed at the auction

The evening was held especially for farmers as they continuously put their trust in Meatco and the meat industry as a whole. During the course of the evening, Meatco informed farmers on where the business is headed and highlighted major contributions such as the cattle holding pens on the premises that were revamped for the benefit of exhibitors. In addition, Meatco also highlighted the feedlot initiatives that are currently in the process of opening at Annasruh and at Kombat in the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions respectively. Meatco also handed over a sponsorship to the value of N$56 000 to the Okakarara Trade Fair Society (OTFS) as a means to ensure the growth of the livestock section at the trade fair.

Executive: Stakeholder Relations & Corporate Affairs, Vehaka Tjimune, who delivered a speech on behalf of Meatco as an official sponsor, encouraged farmers to use opportunities like the livestock exhibitors’ evening to network and enhance their knowledge.

Stakeholder and Corporate Affairs Executive Vehaka Tjimune

Representing the Meat Board of Namibia, Goliath Tujendapi spoke about low producer prices, which are greatly a result of expensive farming materials such as feed. He called on farmers to look into the possibility of producing certain materials locally so as to increase producer prices.

He concluded by saying that farmers are important to the economy; therefore they should strive to transform farming into a profitable business venture.