Livestock auctions the best option – Angula
26 February 2020 | Local News
Angula said due to the lack of a formal market, auctions are the only marketing option for livestock.
He was speaking during an auction at Onyuulaye earlier this month.
According to Angula, who also participated in the auction, farmers brought their livestock in large numbers.
A turnout of 94 cattle was registered and a total of 49 cattle were sold by 13 farmers, generating an amount of N$247 800.
“The auction was good; the cattle were many but buyers were fewer. This is an old kraal in the NCA which normally only attracts 50 cattle, but this time we had close to 100 cattle. Due to the shortage of customers, the price was not that good, but since we are in an economic hardship, we had to accept what the market offered,” Angula said.
“What I observed is that some farmers wait until their cattle are old and past their market value before they sell. It is always good to take cattle to market when they are in their market value for them to generate income.”
Angula said many farmers have cattle, but they are living a poverty-stricken life because they cannot earn anything from their farming.
He said farmers have been trained on animal health and how to take care of their animals, but they still need help on what kind of animals they need to farm.
“A lot needs to be done. We need to train farmers on how to market their animals and the kind of animals they need that can give them a good income. Auction organisers also need to market the auction very well so that they can be able to attract many buyers and sellers,” he said.
Angula, who is a seller, was not satisfied with the cattle prices, but was happy that he sold. The majority of buyers want to become farmers and kapana vendors.
There are more than 10 auction kraals in the NCA catering for the Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West, Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Omusati regions.
Ileni Nandjato