Northern communal farmers lack access to market: Kwenani

ONGWEDIVA, 17 JUL (NAMPA) – Farmers in Namibia’s northern communal areas (NCAs) are grappling with a significant challenge of limited access to larger markets, specifically the Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies (OMAs).
This was said by Meatco Acting Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Kwenani at Ongwediva on Thursday, where five 30-ton livestock trucks with trailers and five portable loading ramps were unveiled for the purpose of assisting local farmers.
The trucks were procured under the Livestock Support Programme funded by the European Development Fund No. 11 and facilitated by the National Planning Commission.
According to Kwenani, the biggest hurdle for abattoirs in the NCAs is their inability to penetrate the lucrative OMA market.
“This market is still not accessible for products produced by the abattoirs for all sorts of reasons,” he said.
To rectify this, Kwenani advocated for a clear policy directive compelling OMAs to prioritise NCA abattoirs as their preferred protein suppliers.
He stressed that such an intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture would be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of these abattoirs.
“Together, we drive transformation. Together, we build resilience. Together, we secure the future of Namibian agriculture,” he reiterated.
Beyond identifying the challenges, Kwenani affirmed Meatco’s unwavering commitment to supporting these efforts.
“As the national meat processor and marketer, Meatco recognises that its prosperity is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the producers it serves,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani said farming should not be seen as an isolated endeavour; rather, farmers must strategically position themselves within the livestock value chain to reduce operational costs and boost efficiency.
According to Zaamwani, the significant N.dollars 20.6 million investment in these trucks aims to establish collection points in even the most remote areas, promoting greater offtake and improving market access for communal farmers.
“The newly acquired trucks and trailers will be under the custodianship of Meatco, which will collaborate closely with farmers across the Northern Communal Areas to ensure fair and equitable transportation schedules,” she said.
She added that these vehicles are specifically earmarked to service all NCA abattoirs, including those in Katima Mulilo, Eenhana, Oshakati, Outapi, and Rundu.
Zaamwani called upon Meatco to safeguard and maintain these assets to continue to deliver benefits for many years to come, supporting both current and future generations of farmers.
(NAMPA)
SR/PS