Incentive scheme bears fruit

The Meat Board of Namibia says the marketing incentive scheme implemented in May for cattle producers north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence is beginning to pay off.

The scheme has exceeded expectations by 20 per cent and will see an additional 2 800 cattle slaughtered during the year, it says. After realising the difficulties faced by cattle producers north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, the Meat Board implemented a marketing incentive scheme to the value of N$1,5 million in seven regions.After consultations with its parent ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, the Meat Board decided to put into effect the marketing scheme that would see N$1 per kilogram paid for A, AB and B grade carcasses and 80 cents per kilogram for grade C carcasses.The scheme, which ends on August 31, is paid out to producers selling carcasses at abattoirs rendering classification services.Meat Board Chairperson Job Hengari this week said his organisation had paid out N$500 000 to farmers who slaughtered their cattle at Meatco abattoirs.He said cattle producers had earned an extra N$153,76 above the existing price and premiums per each head of cattle slaughtered.The incentive scheme partly compensates farmers by covering the quarantine costs necessary to market beef.In terms of regulations, all cattle slaughtered north of the Redline for export have to be quarantined for 21 days prior to slaughtering.After slaughtering, the beef has to be quarantined for a further 21 days.Hengari said it was regrettable that most of the cattle slaughtered were too old and fell in the C class, which is worth less in the market.He has some advice for producers: “Cattle producers can benefit more by slaughtering younger cattle, taking more care of the hide, using improved breeding such as bulls and farming techniques such as castration and dehorning.”Hengari said because of the success of the scheme, Meatco abattoirs in the north were slaughtering and processing carcasses daily and would remain in operation for an extra two months instead of going on their annual recess.The aim of the scheme is to reduce the difference between the net producer’s price paid to farmers north of the Redline and their counterparts in the commercial farming areas south of the fence.The long-term objectives of the scheme are to encourage farmers to develop a marketing culture, to increase income, improve the utilisation of export abattoirs in their areas and to develop markets in the SADC region and the rest of Africa.After realising the difficulties faced by cattle producers north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, the Meat Board implemented a marketing incentive scheme to the value of N$1,5 million in seven regions.After consultations with its parent ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, the Meat Board decided to put into effect the marketing scheme that would see N$1 per kilogram paid for A, AB and B grade carcasses and 80 cents per kilogram for grade C carcasses.The scheme, which ends on August 31, is paid out to producers selling carcasses at abattoirs rendering classification services.Meat Board Chairperson Job Hengari this week said his organisation had paid out N$500 000 to farmers who slaughtered their cattle at Meatco abattoirs.He said cattle producers had earned an extra N$153,76 above the existing price and premiums per each head of cattle slaughtered.The incentive scheme partly compensates farmers by covering the quarantine costs necessary to market beef.In terms of regulations, all cattle slaughtered north of the Redline for export have to be quarantined for 21 days prior to slaughtering.After slaughtering, the beef has to be quarantined for a further 21 days.Hengari said it was regrettable that most of the cattle slaughtered were too old and fell in the C class, which is worth less in the market. He has some advice for producers: “Cattle producers can benefit more by slaughtering younger cattle, taking more care of the hide, using improved breeding such as bulls and farming techniques such as castration and dehorning.”Hengari said because of the success of the scheme, Meatco abattoirs in the north were slaughtering and processing carcasses daily and would remain in operation for an extra two months instead of going on their annual recess.The aim of the scheme is to reduce the difference between the net producer’s price paid to farmers north of the Redline and their counterparts in the commercial farming areas south of the fence.The long-term objectives of the scheme are to encourage farmers to develop a marketing culture, to increase income, improve the utilisation of export abattoirs in their areas and to develop markets in the SADC region and the rest of Africa.