Staff Reporter
Namibian farmers are faced with several challenges that have made farming extremely difficult and less profitable. This is the view of Albert Tjihero, a revered farmer amongst both communal and commercial farming circles.
In a recent discussion with Usiel Kandjii, Meatco Board member (communal representative), Tjihero said disease outbreaks and climate change are among the main contributing factors challenging farming production systems.
He emphasised that because of these many challenges, farmers cannot afford to be divided, noting that disunity is a big challenge to the sector.
Tjihero said the newly-added markets of China and the USA could be a game-changer to producer prices and a recovery of the declining national cattle herd.
“Farmers have to unite with entities such as Meatco to continue advancing our needs as producers, and remain sustainable while contributing towards improving our livelihoods. I believe that we as previously disadvantaged farmers will never be able to afford and establish abattoirs dedicated solely to servicing us. Therefore, we must support Meatco, which is a national asset,” he added.
This can only be achieved if Meatco correctly utilises the government policies and regulations that promote the implementation of the ‘Growth at Home Strategy’ and economic growth by capitalising on the existing trade agreements such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Tjihero noted.
“We are in a precarious situation due to climate change and other factors beyond our control in the industry, and the best thing now is for all farmers to unite, whether communal, emerging or commercial,” he reiterated.
“The division that is currently in our midst will hamper us from achieving our goals. That is why I am calling upon the government to assist us with growing the sector. Similarly, I would like to request farmers to isolate political issues from their farming businesses.”
The veteran farmer said the Namibian herd has shrunk over the past years, and opening many abattoirs at this stage will not serve the farmers any good.
“Abattoirs such as Witvlei which was operating in the Omaheke area and the current Meatco Okahandja Abattoir are closed due to throughput. What is then the purpose of opening new abattoirs if the existing ones are experiencing low throughput?” he asked.
Tjihero also called on Meatco to devise a strategy to be competitive and operate sustainably, adding that it is imperative that the corporation regularly reaches out to farmers and build capacity on their various available marketing platforms as well as on how best farming can be advanced in the country.
“I also urge the Meatco board to robustly engage stakeholders and devise a strategic arrangement to shorten producer payment terms, because farmers use their cattle as a cheque book. If payment conditions are not favourable, they will, unfortunately, opt to market their animals with competitors who can pay immediately.
“The system must be changed to allow Meatco to survive, no matter what, as production costs have escalated enormously over the past years,” he continued.
Tjihero served on the Meatco Board of Directors from 2004-2007 and has a wealth of experience in emerging, communal and commercial farming.