Farmers’ livestock subsidies paid out five months late

NAMIBIAN farmers who sold their cattle and small stock under the Government’s marketing incentives scheme last year to avoid the devastating impact of the drought will receive their subsidies as from August 9, the Agriculture Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Government last year promised to pay out subsidies of N$200 per large stock unit and N$50 per small stock unit for cattle, goats and sheep sold during the period from September 1 to November 30 last year. According to the Meat Board, subsidies were supposed to have been paid in February this year but payments were delayed because Government had originally only budgeted N$ 24.8 million for the exercise while the real cost of claims amounted to over N$ 33 million.But Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary Kahijoro Kahuure denied that there was ever a shortage of funds to finance the scheme and attributed the delay to “administrative difficulties” involving the verification of claims.According to the Agriculture Ministry, some 200 000 small stock and 34 000 cattle were sold through the three-month scheme.Farmers who took part in the scheme are advised to contact Agricultural Extension Officers in their areas on August 9 and they can obtain a Drought Payment Certificate – a document containing their personal details and the amount for which they qualify.The Meat Board will pay the money through the First National Bank of Namibia (FNB).Individual farmers will be able to collect their dues at the nearest FNB branch.- NampaAccording to the Meat Board, subsidies were supposed to have been paid in February this year but payments were delayed because Government had originally only budgeted N$ 24.8 million for the exercise while the real cost of claims amounted to over N$ 33 million.But Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary Kahijoro Kahuure denied that there was ever a shortage of funds to finance the scheme and attributed the delay to “administrative difficulties” involving the verification of claims.According to the Agriculture Ministry, some 200 000 small stock and 34 000 cattle were sold through the three-month scheme.Farmers who took part in the scheme are advised to contact Agricultural Extension Officers in their areas on August 9 and they can obtain a Drought Payment Certificate – a document containing their personal details and the amount for which they qualify.The Meat Board will pay the money through the First National Bank of Namibia (FNB).Individual farmers will be able to collect their dues at the nearest FNB branch.- Nampa