20 Jan 2019

Ghanzi farmers have called on government to resolve challenges be-devilling the beef industry.

They made the plea during a meeting with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi at Rudy Lemckey’s farm in Ghanzi on January 18.

A representative of the farmers, Mr Dudley Barnes, cited the Botswana Meat Commission monopoly, low cattle prices, the infrastructural disappointments and weak financial muscle as some of the challenges affecting the beef sector.

He alleged that things were falling apart in the beef industry because of monopoly and BMC management, which he added, was evidenced by the fact that all sectors of value chain were dysfunctional.

Mr Barnes stated that low weaner prices had always been a concern, citing that when a weaner of an estimated weight of 225 kg was sold, there was direct loss estimated at P1 800 per head.

He suggested establishment of a presidential beef committee that could address commercial realities and solve beef industry problems.

In the meantime, he said the sector could be helped by an economic stimulus package type intervention.

Liberalisation of beef market, he said, was the ultimate solution to the beef industry.

Chairperson of Ghanzi farmers Association, Mr Motshwari Mogapi, told the President that it was not easy to farm in a communal area, saying it was difficult to control diseases in such areas.

Mr Mogapi stated that monopoly of BMC must be abolished, “we have battled a lot even their prices are discouraging.”

Another farmer, Mr Mogomotsi Serole, said farming industry should be bailed out by injecting cash and that beef farmers should dictate the price.

Mr Serole also said payments should be made promptly, saying their overheard expenses suffered when they did not get payments on time.

He suggested that it would be better to open border and allow farmers to sell outside Botswana, if beef industry problems were not solved.

In response, President Masisi stated that government would consider farmers’ wishes when taking decision and emerging solutions would be discussed in forums such as kgotla meetings, cabinet meetings and Parliament. ENDS