Zebaldt Ngaruka
Epukiro constituency farmers will soon start reaping the rewards of their hard work after it was announced that Omaheke region’s livestock marketing giant Karoo-Ochse Livestock Agency will start buying livestock in Epukiro from January.
The news was shared with AgriToday by Eastern Epukiro Farmers Association (EEFA)’s chairperson Katjinduu Naftalie Tjahuha.
Tjahuha said an agreement between EEFA and Karoo-Ochse Livestock Agency was recently reached in Gobabis.
Tjahuha strongly believes that the new agreement will benefit the farmers, as Karoo-Ochse expressed their readiness and willingness to maintain its operations in the constituency for as long as farmers are selling.
“This will be beneficial to our community as the auctions pay much better prices when compared to permits. With auctions, there are always many bidders and that is to the advantage of the selling farmers,” said Tjahuha.
Asked on whether EEFA will do away with the current trend of selling at permits, the chairperson clarified that permits would continue, but it will only be held once a month going forward.
He added that farmers have to make use of this opportunity to sell at the Epukiro auction through Karoo-Ochse Livestock Agency, instead of driving long distances to Gobabis.
“A lot of costs will be saved, which includes transportation and accommodation when taking your animals to Gobabis.”
The association is busy putting up an auction scale, as well as adding a few kraals to the existing ones and additional ablution facilities.
Jorri Jordaan, Karoo’s marketing manager in Omaheke, said the agreement will officially kickstart early next year with an auction at Epukiro’s capital, Omaueuozonjanda. Over 400 cattle are expected at the planned auction.
Initially, Karoo was started in 1953 in the then South West Africa, but in 1984, Karoo and W.L. Ochse merged to form Karoo-Ochse Livestock Agency.
In 1996, Karoo-Ochse became one of the first companies in Namibia with only Namibian shareholders. Its offices and auction pens are situated 5km outside Gobabis on the B6 road to Buitepos border post. In its history of 69 years, it remains one of the best auctioneers in the Omaheke region.
EEFA’s chief marketing officer, Kauetu Murangi called on the farmers to already start preparing their livestock for early next year’s auction.
“This will require farmers to pay attention to feed their animals so that they can attract the attention of the bidders. We must cut the horns properly and even kill the parasites like ticks to pocket a bit more,” said Murangi.
“The more cattle you bring, the more bidders will come and that is good for the farmers pocket. One thing that farmers must know is that auctions accommodate all livestock, irrespective of size, unlike permits which is known for targeting small livestock like calves,” said Murangi.
The marketing officer also reminded farmers that there will be commissions deducted from the livestock.
“These are compulsory commissions from the buyer, farmers union, and for our livestock theft prevention organisation,” he explained.
The last formal auction that took place in Epukiro was in 2019. That auction did not go well due to the questionable behaviour of some community members towards the buyers. – zngaruka@yahoo.com