31 Aug 2021

Maun Administration Authority councillors on raised concern over  lack of external markets for Ngamiland beef. 

They made the remarks during council session on Thursday.

Makalamabedi cllr Mr Moetetsi Mogalakwe argued that about two private abattoirs in Maun Admnistrative Authority had access to markets outside the country something he said that has eluded Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) Maun abattoir. 

He said the mandatory quarantine requirements by Maun BMC should make beef marketable to other African countries since Ngamiland beef was not viable for European Union markets. 

He said the BMC should work hon securing such available markets.

Another councillor for Bodibeng/Bothatogo/Somelo Mr Mmolotsi Karesaza said that private abattoirs were able to access external markets yet Maun BMC failed. 

He said most farmers chose to sell to private abattoirs over BMC due to the latter’s delay in pay ing farmers. 

In his response, BMC Maun Procurement Officer Mr Goitsemodimo Dintsi observed that Maun BMC used to have access to external markets such as Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. 

Mr Dintsi said Mozambique markets failed due to issues of quality standard of beef required by the Mozambique.

“They required tender meat as provided by other African countries which result from hormones fed animals for quick maturity,” he said. 

As such Mr Dintsi said BMC will embark on a project to sensitize Ngamiland farmers on how to improve quality of their cattle. 

For DRC markets, he cited challenges of logistics for BMC to reach the markets and was as a result discontinued.

Mr Dintsi informed councillors that BMC had challenges of cash flow which resulted in delay in payment to farmers which therefore demotivated some to seek alternative abattoirs. 

However, he said Maun BMC work hard to adhere to the set 14-day standard for effecting farmers payments.

He said Maun BMC currently owed farmers about P2.7 million for the six slaughters carried out in the month of August only.

Mr Dintsi further said that the abattoir did not make profit as such relied on quarterly government grant of P5.88 million. BOPA