28 Apr 2014

Botswana Meat Commission’s (BMC) chief executive officer, Dr Akolang Tombale has told members of Sandveld Ranchers Association (SRA) that BMC is not for sale contrary to media reports.


Speaking during SRA field day, Saturday April 26, Dr Tombale said President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama had set the record straight that contrary to media reports, BMC would not be sold to any bidder.


Detailing the events that led to the media speculations, Dr Tobale said there was ‘an American guy’ who tabled a proposal before BMC that sought to supply BMC but was flatly turned down because, as Dr Tombale put it, BMC was not a slaughter slab.


Dr Tombale stated that the American went on to conspire with some farmers and even offered to fund them so that he could then supply BMC. Initially, the said American had allegedly told Dr Tombale about his maize farming in Ghana and had since wanted to produce cattle feeds.


The American is said to have traversed Botswana approaching farmers to join him. However, the man in question was never successful. Dr Tombale revealed that he was successful in purchasing of farms but failed to produce apparently because the company that bought him the said farms was now bankrupt.


On other issues the BMC boss said that they were at work devising strategies of making BMC a viable entity. He said that there was every need to send beef to the lucrative European Union market. He, consequently challenged farmers to comply with the EU requirements and commit to a stable supply of cattle to the commission.


The BMC CEO said that BMC intends to export 15000 tons of beef to the EU market against the 14000 tons to other markets. However, the commission is still facing operational challenges. 
“We had anticipated that Francistown abattoir will be re-listed but unfortunately we will still have to operate with one plant,” said Dr Tombale.

Dr Tombale also revealed that they have since sent beef samples to Kuwait who are said to be consuming more beef than any other market.
He told the ranchers that Botswana beef had an advantage in Norway since the market had a positive feedback about the product. However, he said there was dire need of consistency.


On other forecasted developments the BMC CEO said that they have developed strategic plan last year and they wanted Lobatse abattoir to specifically produce beef for the EU market.

Dr Tombale revealed that BMC had some marketing problems in the past as they would slaughter cattle and keep beef in London awaiting some orders from consumers. Ends