A Recent livestock auction at Omakange generated N$139 900, though the organisers say communal farmers urgently need better understanding of auction rules, permits, and banking.
According to the auction report provided by Kristian Hango of Smart Trading CC T/A Auctioneers, who conducted the auction, the 92 animals on auction consisted of 39 head of cattle, 46 goats and seven sheep.
The report says nine head of cattle, 16 goats and four sheep were sold.
A total of 21 buyers participated, and an ox fetched the highest price of N$11 899.
The auction was held at the Omakange Auction Pen.
Hango says many farmers still do not understand the concept of an auction.
“They do not align with the market bidding. The demands dictate the price. Some farmers refuse the highest bidder and accept the lower price after the auction,” he says.
He says he has observed that some farmers want to sell their animals at local markets, where they are paid uncompetitive prices.
Hango says there a great need for farmers to understand animal auction rules as some bring their livestock for auctioning without permits.
“Some come with local market permits, while others only get letters from their traditional authorities,” he says.
Hango says many farmers want to be paid cash, but buyers prefer depositing money into their accounts.
Many farmers do not have bank accounts, he says.
Hango is also concerned about the selling of alcohol at animal auctions.
He says the turnover from Omakange’s animal auctions is encouraging, but several challenges need to be addressed.
Animal auctions in the northern communal areas (NCAs) are organised by farmers’ associations, farmers and cooperatives in coordination with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia and communal auctioneers.
The NCAs consist of the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Kunene regions.
Livestock auctions in the NCAs serve as a platform for communal farmers to sell their animals at the most competitive prices.
