The agriculture ministry on Tuesday launched a livestock support programme for the northern communal areas (NCAs) in the Omusati region.
The programme aims to improve the performance of the livestock value chain in the NCAs by improving livestock production systems and resilience to climate change.
The total amount needed to implement the activities is N$284,079,245, which will be supplied by the European Union, in collaboration with the line ministry.
Various farmers from the Omusati region attended the programme’s inception workshop to share their opinions on the new initiative.
The programme anticipates to improve local capacity for animal slaughtering and meat processing, food security awareness campaigns, food hygiene inspector services, animal auctions, the management of pre-slaughter quarantine facilities, and exploring new local or export markets.
Speaking at the workshop, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala said this project will improve the livestock sector in the NCAs, particularly in his region. He noted that for the past years, farmers were faced with numerous challenges such as market access and low prices for animals under the pretext of poor-quality animals.
“I hope that from today onwards, those impediments will be ironed out and normalisation will come into the industries for our farmers to be treated equally, like those on the other side of the Redline,” Endjala stressed.
He then called upon traditional authorities to consider designating some areas as grazing zones for animals to avoid overcrowding, overgrazing and soil degradation.
Farmers were also urged to regard farming as a business, and not just as a hobby when they feel bored.
Executive director in the agriculture ministry Percy Misika said the ministry will try its level best to improve veterinary service delivery.
He stated that capacity-building in terms of diagnostic services, surveillance and traceability are all activities to be implemented under this project.
Access to markets is another scheme the ministry wants to aggressively pursue.
“Therefore, we now have the support of the government at this highest level to enter into agreements so that the procurement of meat and meat products is a reality, especially for the abattoirs in the NCAs”.