Meatco assesses state of northern abattoirs
Meatco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mwilima Mushokabanji last week undertook a familiarisation tour in the northern regions to familiarise himself on the abattoirs and beef value chain activities in those specific regions as well as meet strategic stakeholders.
Since the withdrawal of Meatco in 2015 when it ceased its renewal to lease the two main abattoirs mainly Oshakati Eloolo and Katima abattoirs, farmers have found themselves not being able to find proper markets for their livestock.
This situation heavily affected the regions› livelihood and living standard of the population in the NCA when it comes to optimising beef primary production value chain for greater economic benefits.
“Although we had the mobile slaughter unit that ended up being stationed only at one area in eastern Kavango, as Meatco we had to come up with a different strategy as to how to serve all livestock producers in Namibia.
“Meatco has since taken a different strategy as to how we will carry out our mandate as per our established Act of 2002 that of to erect, rent, purchase or otherwise acquire, stabilise, optimally utilise and maintain abattoirs and other meat factories in the public interest as well as to rationalise abattoir and related factory activities and conduct and manage such business in an orderly, economical and efficient manner, among others.”
The visit was mainly to observe Eenhana and Oshakati Eloolo abattoirs. The team also visited other meat processing facilities and the tannery factory. Meatco has established a subsidiary that is particularly focused on implementing its strategy in the NCA.
“Our strategy for the NCA include among others, the operation of abattoirs, creation of markets for the NCA established to drive Meatco’s NCA strategy and most importantly finding markets for beef produced in the NCA.”
Other stakeholders who were met include the Oshana governor Elia Irimari, who highlighted that the northern region livestock marketing has deteriorated for the past five years.
He said many economical activities that depended on livestock primary production has been affected as a result. Meatco, as a commercial enterprise, is mandated with these responsibilities.
According to Mushokabanji, the familiarisation tour was important and will enhance the various consultative meetings with ministries. It is also important for the industry to work together and collaborate to create market access for NCA livestock farmers by facilitating market development concepts within the NCA so all livestock producers can access lucrative markets both locally and internationally.