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Farmers bay for BMC blood

The BMC purchases cattle in Ngamiland at P31/kg
The BMC purchases cattle in Ngamiland at P31/kg

MAUN: Against a backdrop of crippling late payments, farmers have been calling for punitive measures against the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC).

The state-owned abattoir had lately outdone itself with most payments for the cattle that were sold in April/May only paid for in November.

Prominent farmer and former chairman of North West Integrated Farmers Association (NWIFA), Simon Bojosi has suggested that should the BMC continue with late payments, interest and other surcharges must be levied on the parastatal. He argued that parastatals, and indeed other government departments should see the livestock sector for what it is – a business. “And business sells goods and services so that they can continue to be in business. Now if you fail to pay for my goods, you’re effectively putting me out of business,” he reasoned.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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