17 Feb 2019

Ngamiland District has exported beef from two private abattoirs  worth over P124 million from April last year to January this year.

District veterinary officer, Dr Odirileng Thololwane, announced this when updating farmers about the district’s achievements.

He said the two abattoirs slaughtered 14 254 for the said period of which 341 were condemned due to measles.

He stated that 262.5 tonnes of beef were sold to the Democratic Republic of Congo, 16.8 tonnes to Gaborone and 143.5 tonnes to Kasane, adding that they managed to sell beef worth over P107 million for local consumption.

Dr Thololwane said they had realised that demand was higher than supply, noting that there was also no standard price.

He also pointed out that it had been noted that some farmers sold their animals at P15/kg, especially to non-registered livestock buyers, adding that most of the time, the prices fluctuated depending on discussions between the buyer and the seller.

Meanwhile, some farmers expressed concern over some stock buyers who took farmers’ cattle on credit and ended up disappearing without paying and it was thus resolved that the buyers should pay farmers cash upfront.

Some buyers/agents differed with farmers, noting that at times, they did not have cash, adding that even the abattoirs did not pay cash with some taking two to six months to pay.

The parties agreed that at least an affidavit should be made at the kgotla and that selling of cattle be conducted at designated public areas.

The other burning issue was proof of payment of four per cent tax by livestock buyers and they were advised to provide proof that they were indeed registered with the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS).

It was reported that the buyers deducted the four per cent from farmers and there was no evidence that remitted the money to BURS.

An official from agribusiness unit in Maun, Mr Unaswi Sesinyi, advised livestock buyers to register their businesses so that they could be issued with licences to operate legally.

He said that the purpose of the licence was to regulate and monitor the impact of livestock sale on the economy of the country and collection of government revenue.

Mr Sesinyi explained that all individuals and companies involved in livestock trade were expected to register, carry their licences all the times and submit accurate transaction returns.

He stressed that buyers should change ownership of animals after buying and not to sell with the original owner’s brand.

Furthermore, he pointed out that his office had the right to terminate operations of those failing to submit accurate transaction returns and comply with the act.

Participants were also drilled on the importance of paying tax and were encouraged to also register with BURS.

An official from BURS, Ms Molly Batshogi, who explained that tax was a compulsory contribution, informed participants that tax was compulsory and it was an obligation for all taxpayers to pay tax to avoid unnecessary penalties.

She said livestock buyers were obliged to register their farming business for tax purposes. ENDS