01 May 2019

Sandveld Ranchers Association (SRA) chairperson, Mr Kgosiemang Molosiwa, has complained of Botswana Meat Commission’s (BMC) failure to pay cattle producers on time.

This, he said resulted in the market taking advantage of farmers and offering them lower prices for their stock.

Mr Molosiwa was speaking during SRA Farmers’ Day held at Xeatshaa cattle ranch recently.

He said farmers should start looking outside the country for opportunities presented by the high demand for grass-fed beef.

‘’BMC and government must be export oriented so they can get the highest prices for their prime cuts,’’ he said.

He said the cattle industry in Botswana offered more challenges than opportunities, though prices were lower in the early years of BMC where farmers looked forward to the bonus that was offered at the end of every financial year.

Mr Molosiwa stated that farmers must slaughter all of their national off-take at BMC or export oriented slaughter houses who would supply the local market at break-even prices without farmers being forced to subsidise consumers.

He said it was important for BMC to educate farmers on their current pricing structure.

Mr Molosiwa said given the severe drought condition the country was experiencing, government should consider tapping into the cattle levy, disaster fund and any other available funds to assist farmers stay afloat.

He said government should consider allowing farmers to export live cattle, adding that financial institutions should consider the strain that the drought had put on their finances. ENDS