An animal auction held at Ndevahoma Auction Kraal at Okongo in the Ohangwena region last Saturday generated N$1.5 million, marking an impressive start to the project launched late last month.
George Haufiku of Harambee Communal Auctioneers, which conducted the auction, yesterday said 143 of the 160 head of cattle were sold, leaving 17 unsold.
N$15 900 for an ox was the priciest fetch.
Haufiku said although the turnover was impressive for a rural auction, more buyers are needed for animal auctions in the northern communal areas (NCAs).
He said there were only about seven buyers at the auction, which prevented more competitive prices.
Haufiku said as a result, Winni Metzger – the private operator of Musese Green Scheme in the Kavango West region – bought 44 head of cattle of the 143 sold for his feedlot at the green scheme.
He said he was pleased that a person from the Kavango West region supported communal cattle sellers in the Ohangwena region.
“We need more cattle buyers at animal auctions in the NCAs because they are very important at animal auctions,” Haufiku said.
The auction was organised by the Ohangwena Small Scale Farmers Cooperative in partnership with the Harambee Communal Auctioneers and in coordination with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia.
He said livestock auctions in the NCAs are important to communal farmers because they serve as platforms to sell animals at competitive prices, without the need for transport costs.
