19 Jan 2014

The Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) aims to slaughter 70 000 cattle in the northern part of the country this year.

Mr Bosiela Saudu, BMC’s Francistown plant manager told residents of Tshimoyapula, in Central District,  lrecently that they should take advantage of the opening of the abattoir to sell their cattle and help the commission to meet its target. He noted that last year they had planned to slaughter 60 000 cattle, but only managed 38 000 because farmers were reluctant to sell.

Mr Saudu said the beef would be sold in South Africa, but that their aim was the more lucrative European Union (EU) market. He noted that the EU pays three times more than other markets. He told farmers that in order to benefit from the EU market, there were rules and regulations that had to be followed.

For his part, BMC’s livestock procument officer for Serowe Mr Othusitse Aaron said their offices were now operational and that they have already started taking quotes. Mr Aaron advised farmers to follow the rules such as inserting cattle with bolus. He also urged farmers to take good care of their cattle from the kraal to BMC, saying the price they would get was determined by the quality of their cattle.

However, there were mixed reactions from farmers. Some commended BMC for their efforts in meeting them. Farmers complained about BMC prices, noting that they were not standard which prompted them to sell to butchers.

One resident, Mr Mudala Mudala said BMC prices were lower than what they got from butcheries. “Last year I sold eight cattle to a butcher and managed to make P47 000, but when I sold the same number to BMC, I only made P24 000,” said Mr Mudala.

Another farmer, Mr Obert Lesole complained of the monopolisation of the cattle industry by BMC, saying they should be allowed to choose where they want to sell their cattle.  Others complained of the feed lot system, saying it has come at a great price for small scale farmers. They said the system only benefits farmers who have ranches and those who were rich.

They said in order to qualify as a feedlot, one’s land has to be registered as a farm, something that they were not able to achieve at land boards when they want to change their certificates.  Mr Saudu concured with them, saying the issue of land change affects them as well as they were unable to do anything because of jurisdiction issues. He noted that land boards were the only ones that deal with land issues. ENDS