Ngami farmers say BMC�s 30% price review too little
Boniface Keakabetse | Wednesday June 8, 2016 18:00
“The last price review in 2013 at Maun Abattoir was by five percent, but the current review is by 30%,” Dioka said.
He said as of May, carcasses weighing above 180kg would be paid an average price of P 19.50 per kilogramme (kg) regardless of their grade. He said what this means is that carcasses weighing above 180kg will no longer be graded as: prime, super, grade 1,2,3,4 and canning as it was the case in the past. He said, however, carcasses weighing less than 180kg will still be graded and attract lesser prices.
Simon Bojosi, chairman of the North West Integrated Farmers Association, which represents a majority of farmers in the Foot and Mouth-ravaged district, however, said the farmers do not accept the prices. He revealed that farmers in the district want BMC to increase the prices by P23 as it did at Lobatse and Francistown abattoirs. He said they are not happy that the commission increased prices at the other abattoirs by P23 while the Maun Abattoir got a lesser increment. Bojosi explained that farmers in the district have long voiced their concerns about low prices through the Botswana Beef Producers Union (BBPU), of which their association is a member. Bojosi explained that farmers could not recover costs they incur in cattle production due to the low prices. He said it is unfair for BMC to increase prices with a higher percentage including at Francistown Abattoir, which also slaughters cattle from FMD-affected areas such as Maun. Bojosi explained that they do not rule out taking BMC to court.
“Through BBPU we are going to register our displeasure to President Ian Khama and if the engagement turns negative, we are proceeding to court,” said Bojosi.
Dioka explained that the corporation reviews producer prices depending on its financial position, strategic operational intents and as a way of building a relationship with its stakeholders. He said BMC adjusted producer prices for Francistown and Lobatse in the first quarter of the year while the Maun Abattoir initially lagged behind. Dioka revealed that cattle procurement is going well in Ngamiland.
“BMC prices remain the highest in the region and we are therefore confident of improved and long lasting support by the farming community in Botswana,” added Dioka.
Beef from cattle slaughtered at Maun Abattoir is only consumed in Botswana as the area has been under FMD attack since 2007. BMC says the low prices are due to poor marketability of beef from the district as a result of the FMD.Meanwhile, with regard to the Zimbabwean live cattle market, Dioka said live Ngamiland cattle exports to Zimbabwe are still on halt pending negotiations between BMC and its Zimbabwean partner, Cold Storage Company on how the trade can be better facilitated.
“The Zimbabwean market remains a viable arrangement, which can achieve great benefits for Ngamiland farmers, given that as a country we are optimistic of Zimbabwe’s economic recovery in the near future,” Dioka said. He explained that the water supply situation at the Maun Abattoir remains critical since the Thamalakane River dried up. He said the BMC is currently bousing water from Chanoga Village, 30 kilometres from Maun to beef up limited supplies drawn from Thamalakane River. He said they expect the water woes to stabilise as Thamalakane has started flooding. Dioka said they are also assessing some boreholes along the Thamalakane to see if they can produce enough water for the abattoir.