Monty Chiepe supported the formation of the new association during a farmers' meeting at the Botswana College of Agriculture but said there must be a thorough reflection before the body comes into being. He said the local beef industry has a lot of unresolved issues and forming a new national body is not going to make the situation better. He said the idea of a national association is good but it should first be thought out thoroughly. "I am not saying we should go back on developing our beef industry but my conscience tells me that if we move forward without planning, then this structure will dismally fail," he said.
Chiepe blamed the government for lack of organisation especially in formulating meetings of such magnitude as the one he was speaking at. "The problem with the government is that whenever such meetings are called, none of the farmers are given the agenda in time so they can internalise and make informed decisions. Instead, we are ambushed and forced to make difficult decisions on the spot," he said. Chiepe discouraged the government from being involved in the formation of the proposed association. He said that the government should desist from monitoring adults because they can make their own informed decisions. "Government should instead act as a facilitator and partner," he said.
