Agriculture

The Meat Board of Namibia is calling upon local abattoirs and producers to apply for the production and export of beef to the lucrative Norwegian quota for 2024, and has given interested companies until 2 October 2023 to submit their bids. 

The Suide Boere Netwerk (SBN), a group primarily consisting of communal and resettled farmers from the southern pockets of the country, recently held a successful mini-show that attracted over 388 animals of various breeds. 

Many of our farmers are trying their level best to keep their heads above water in the midst of a piercing drought that has hit most parts of the country, especially the northwestern, south and northeastern areas. 

As the famous adage goes, “A father’s love and guidance are more than a hundred schoolmasters.” 

Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua is deeply bothered by the continued trend of exporting livestock on the hoof and warned that if left unchecked, it could collapse the local meat sector. 

The recently-increased minimum wages for workers in both commercial and communal farmlands have been received with mixed feelings, with some workers expressing optimism while others doubt if the new wages will be enforced. 

Namibia is one of the driest countries in Africa. It is home to the world’s oldest desert, the Namib, as well as the Kalahari Desert, whose name derives from the Tswana word for ‘great thirst’. 

It gives me great pleasure to write my first column as the new coordinator of AgriToday, New Era’s premium agricultural section where we discuss, share, and unpack all things agriculture.

Meatco, through its corporate and social responsibility vehicle, the Meatco Foundation, officially handed over crush pens valued at N$1.1 million to the Eiseb Block community in the Omaheke region recently.