Zebaldt Ngaruka
OHAMBO JATATE - Following slight delays due to incomplete vital infrastructure, it’s all systems go for the much-anticipated Eastern Epukiro Farmers Association (EEFA) auction, which will now take place this Thursday at Epukiro Pos 3.
EEFA, which was last month forced to cancel the year-opening auction at Epukiro Pos 3 due to incomplete facilities and an uninstalled mandatory weight scale, will collaborate with Omaheke region’s livestock marketing giant Karoo-Ochse Livestock Agency to host this week’s auction.
The association’s chairperson Katjinduu Tjahuha shared with AgriToday that they are busy putting the final touches to critical components like the mandatory weight scale, extra sitting benches, and other infrastructure before they welcome farmers to what will be their biggest auction.
Tjahuha, who has been at the helm of the association for more than fifteen years, added that the auction will be the first of its kind after so many years and is expected to attract a large number of cattle.
“In terms of the construction of auction pens, we are almost there, and I am confident that the facilities will be ready for Thursday. The postponement of the auction last time left many of our farmers stranded and losing trust in one of the oldest communal farmers’ associations in the country. But we are human beings, we understand our farmers’ concerns and we take their interest at heart,” said Tjahuha, who urged Epukiro farmers to bring livestock in numbers.
EEFA’s chief marketing officer Kauetu Murangi said transportation arrangements have been made to assist farmers in bringing their livestock to Epukiro Pos 3, also popularly known as Omauezonjanda.
“These arrangements are aimed at helping our farmers from as far as Eiseb Block and far away areas in the Epukiro constituency. This is a long-awaited auction and farmers must register their cattle at our offices as per auction procedures as early as possible,” Murangi said.
He also urged farmers to have their livestock movement permits in advance to avoid a last-minute rush.
The traditional councillor and renowned farmer in the Epukiro area, Moses Tjitoro Muariani, welcomed the news of the new auction date and the progress made around the construction of the auction pens and related facilities.
“Following the previous disappointment, I think this auction will bring relief to our farmers this time around. Auction prices are always better than selling at small permits, and farmers should not be discouraged by the earlier cancelled auction,” stressed the Ovinjuru-based farmer.
-zngaruka@yahoo.com