RUNDU – The country’s largest meat processing and marketing entity, Meatco, has announced its readiness to buy more cattle from farmers in the Northern Communal Area (NCA), but has maintained that farmers should first meet the set requirements and standards.
In its latest livestock marketing notice to the public and all farmers, especially those farming in the NCA proclaimed zones, the State-owned meat entity said most farmers continue to struggle to meet set standards and requirements to sell their cattle to Meatco.
“Meatco operates two abattoirs in the NCA, one at Katima Mulilo and another at Rundu, where producers can deliver their cattle. Meatco is ready to buy more from farmers in this area but [they] should first be in compliance with set standards and requirements in order to sell,’’ said Thimoteus Kativa, Meatco’s livestock procurement manager.
He said Meatco’s Katima Mulilo Abattoir sources cattle from producers in the Zambezi region and also from the Mukwe constituency in the Kavango East region.
“Our Mobile Slaughter Unit and the Rundu Abattoir all source cattle from both the Kavango East and West regions, Tsumkwe constituency in Otjozondjupa region, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati, and Kunene regions. The absorption capacity is there,” he said.
For a farmer or group of farmers to qualify to sell cattle to Meatco at all these outlets, they are expected to strictly meet requirements.
“Farmers either as individuals or as an organised group must register at the Meatco office to complete a reservation and present an ear tag list for easy verification on the NamLITS System by the Directorate of Veterinary Services,’’ he advised.
Meatco requires cattle to have a visible stock brand mark, ear tags, and the Livestock Products Board’s producer number.
“Before loading cattle, farmers must apply for a movement permit, and only the cattle that are listed or pre-selected can be loaded. If a farmer wishes to transport their cattle to the quarantine camp or abattoir using a trailer/truck, they must ensure that the truck/trailer is cleaned, washed, and disinfected at their own expense. This arrangement can be done at State veterinary offices facilitated by Meatco livestock procurement staff,” said Kativa.
He further said the responsibility for animal welfare, from loading to transportation and offloading, lies with the farmer and the transporter to avoid pre-deaths, bruising, and condemnation.
“A bank account confirmation letter is required. The payment waiting period is 10 days from the day of purchase/slaughter,’’ Kativa said.
For Katima Mulilo Abattoir, producers wishing to sell can contact Dominic Majakube at 081 747 8788 or Lunza Sibalatani at 081 265 9506 and Daniel Hangula at 081 278 9166 for North Central and Kunene North.
Annastasia Muronga can be reached at 081 789 2732 for the Rundu Abattoir. Alternatively, producers can contact Thimoteus Kativa at 081 274 5984. Producers can also contact the Meat Board marketing officers in their respective regions.
-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na