Gearing up: New trucks a game-changer for communal producers

In a major intervention aimed at empowering communal livestock farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), the Namibian government has handed over five 30-tonne livestock transport trucks with trailers and five portable loading ramps to Meatco.The equipment, valued at N$20.68 million, was funded through the European Development Fund (EDF 11) as part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Livestock Support Programme (LSP).The handover, presided over by agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani, marks a decisive step in addressing the long-standing challenges faced by communal farmers in transporting cattle to abattoirs and quarantine facilities.“This handover marks a significant step forward in our collective efforts to transform communal livestock farming by addressing the challenges that many of our farmers continue to face,” said Zaamwani. “It aligns with our Namibia Agriculture Policy and the Sixth National Development Plan.”Cutting costsThe newly delivered trucks will be managed by Meatco and deployed across all NCA abattoirs – Katima Mulilo, Eenhana, Oshakati, Outapi, and Rundu. Their purpose is to reduce the high costs farmers incur when transporting livestock, thereby enabling greater participation in the formal beef value chain.“The aim is to improve access to abattoirs and quarantine facilities so that farmers can sell their cattle more competitively,” said Zaamwani. “In doing so, we improve livelihoods and expand economic inclusion in the livestock industry.”She emphasised that Meatco will be responsible for ensuring fair access to and long-term maintenance of the trucks.“I call upon Meatco to safeguard and maintain these assets so they continue to deliver benefits for many years to come,” she said. “We don’t want to hear that the trucks are standing idle because they’re broken and haven’t been repaired for an extended period. The trucks are meant to be on the road, not parked in a garage, at home or anywhere else.”While welcoming the delivery of equipment, the minister stressed that infrastructure alone will not solve all problems. She urged farmers to adopt modern, sustainable, and technology-enabled farming methods.“The true potential of our livestock sub-sector will be realised when farmers shift from purely subsistence practices to embrace innovation, strategic breeding, and improved land stewardship,” she said.Zaamwani also called for stronger collaboration among communal farmers. Rather than each farmer attempting to manage the full production process alone, she recommended that farmers specialise in different segments, such as breeding, feedlots, transport, or marketing.“No single farmer should bear the burden of the full production cycle,” she said. “Through cooperation, we can create a resilient system that benefits all stakeholders equitably.”Infrastructure investmentsIn addition to logistical support, the ministry is implementing a range of infrastructure projects under the LSP, many of which are being carried out with support from the National Planning Commission. These include:&bull; Upgrading the existing slaughterhouse to an abattoir in Opuwo&bull; Construction of an Artificial Insemination Centre in Okapya&bull; Development of an Agricultural Centre and Veterinary Office in Nkurenkuru&bull; Renovation of the auction facility in Ncaute, Kavango East&bull; Upgrading of quarantine and farm infrastructure in Katima Mulilo and Omutambo Maowe&bull; Construction of a 1 000-cattle-capacity feedlot and related infrastructure at Etunda“These investments are interconnected elements of a broader, holistic approach to strengthen rural livelihoods and bolster our national food security,” the minister said.LSP milestonesZaamwani also highlighted key achievements under the Livestock Support Programme that are already making a tangible difference. Among these is the securing of new export markets for NCA-sourced beef in countries such as Ghana and Qatar, opening valuable international opportunities for communal farmers and helping to boost demand and incomes.In addition to market access, the programme has provided practical tools to improve livestock management. Notably, three animal weighing scales and ten portable multi-purpose workstations were delivered to the Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions. These mobile units support essential activities such as weighing, vaccination, branding, castration, and pregnancy testing, key to improving animal health and productivity.Another important initiative is the establishment of 16 fodder production demonstration plots on farms managed by trained “Lead Farmers.” These farmers, who have undergone specialised training, now serve as local knowledge hubs, sharing best practices in fodder cultivation to improve feed availability, especially during the dry season.

Gearing up: New trucks a game-changer for communal producers

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Republikein 2025-09-10

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Gearing up: New trucks a game-changer for communal producers

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