03 Mar 2014

Farmers at Hainaveldt farms have expressed disappointment with government‘s decision to suspend sale of cattle in the area.

While they commended government’s efforts to contain the Foot and Mouth Disease and look for alternatives markets outside the country, the farmers said they had been left in the lurch after government decided to suspend the cattle market in their farming area.

The farmers were speaking during a stakeholders meeting involving farmers, the Agricultural Resources Board and Ngamiland District Conservation Committee.

The Hainaveldt farmers said it was the responsibility of the Department of Veterinary Services to control movement of cattle. They accused officers of disregarding the challenges faced by farmers and frustrating their efforts.

The chairperson of Hainaveld Farmers Association Mr Philip Wright said the farmers were left with no alternatives after the market was suspended. “We are held up and we don’t have anywhere to sell our cattle. BMC is buying cattle from other areas and we have been left out,” he said.

Mr Wright said the market was still not open for individual farmers to sell at their own time despite the fact that FMD is under control. He added that farmers are hopeful that the protection zone will make a huge difference in addressing their challenges, but expressed concern at the slow implementation.

Mr Wright also expressed concern about the slow infrastructure development at farming areas. He revealed that farmers want to access roads, telecommunications and services but are held back by slow infrastructure developments.

“We have long wanted to know which department is responsible for servicing corridors in the area because we want to access roads, electricity and telecommunication services. We want to develop our farms and turn them into commercial areas but we are confused as to who should service the land there,” he said. For his part, Executive

Secretary of the National Conservation Committee Mr David Mmui said he appreciates the challenges faced by farmers and promised to forward their grievances to the relevant departments. ENDS