Northern livestock auctions expose quality gap
Livestock auctions in the northern communal areas (NCAs) generate income for farmers, but poor animal condition and limited market knowledge are reducing earnings, agriculture officials say. Immanuel Eelu, a senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform at Eenhana, says there is a critical need for training in livestock production and […] The post Northern livestock auctions expose quality gap appeared first on The Namibian.
Black News 
Livestock auctions in the northern communal areas (NCAs) generate income for farmers, but poor animal condition and limited market knowledge are reducing earnings, agriculture officials say.
Immanuel Eelu, a senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform at Eenhana, says there is a critical need for training in livestock production and marketing in the NCAs.
Eelu, who served as auctioneer at a livestock auction held at Bravo Gate in the Oshikoto region on Saturday, says many farmers in the NCAs still focus more on crop production than livestock, although animals are also a key source of livelihood.
“More still needs to be done. Information sharing and training related to livestock production is critical to our farmers in the NCAs,” Eelu says.
The auction recorded 139 head of cattle, of which 133 were sold, while six remained unsold. A total of 42 goats were also sold.
It generated N$1.3 million, with the highest price of N$20 100 paid for an ox.
Eelu says the figures show that farmers are making use of available markets such as livestock auctions, but many still need to understand how the condition of their animals affects prices.
According to him, farmers need training on the relationship between quality and price to better prepare their livestock for auction.
Twenty-four buyers registered for the auction.
The NCAs include the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati and Kunene regions.
Earlier this year, some organisers of livestock auctions in the NCAs expressed concern about a low turnout of buyers.
They said buyers are important because they help farmers make profit to pay school fees, buy household goods and support their families.
Livestock auctions also help farmers avoid selling their animals cheaply to middlemen, who often approach them at their farms with low offers.
George Haufiku, an official in the ministry’s department of agricultural research and development at Mashare in the Kavango West region, says these auctions were not previously available in communal areas.
He says since 2012 the ministry has been encouraging and supporting farmers in the area to sell their livestock through auctions.
“Livestock auctions are the fairest ways for farmers to sell their animals as there is competition and we are trying to ensure that prices at these auctions are the same as those of auctions being held south of the veterinary cordon fence,” he says.
He reminds farmers to maintain their animals in good condition to ensure better market prices.
The post Northern livestock auctions expose quality gap appeared first on The Namibian.
