Boosting Livestock Farming in Namibia: Minister's Call to Action

The Namibian government is taking steps to support the country's livestock farmers, who are facing numerous challenges. Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Anna Shiweda, recently visited the Zambezi Region to assess the implementation of poultry and horticulture programs and to familiarize herself with the local abattoirs.

One of the key facilities she visited was an upgraded A-Class abattoir, which exports high-quality Namibian beef to international markets. The region also has two quarantine facilities, Kopano and Katima Mulilo, where cattle are held for 30 days before being brought to the abattoir.

Shiweda urged farmers to sell their cattle before the drought takes a severe toll on the animals' condition, making it difficult to fetch a good market price. She emphasized the importance of value addition, processing, and marketing to increase the profitability of livestock farming.

However, farmers are facing significant challenges, including a lack of value addition, processing, and stock theft. The limited market for local meat is also a major concern, as most of the beef is exported to Angola and Ghana, leaving few opportunities for local consumers.

The minister encouraged farmers to diversify their income streams by engaging in poultry and horticulture production, in addition to crop and beef production. She also called on retailers and local buyers to support local farmers by purchasing their high-quality meat.

By addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable livestock farming practices, Namibia can boost its agricultural sector and improve the livelihoods of its farmers.