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| Farm Ombona of the Schonecke family |
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| Ingo Jacobi, Chairperson of the Kalkfeld Farmers Association |
Kalkfeld Farmers Association held their quarterly meeting under the chairmanship of Mr. Ingo Jacobi at Farm Ombona of the family Schonecke in the Kalkfeld area (Namibia). About 50 farmers and other Agri stakeholders including the Namibia Agriculture Union (1) Namibian Police, First National Bank, VIRBAC, United States Peace Corp. volunteer (1), Extension Services from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and Meatco.
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| Kotie Kretzschmar from the NAU |
Mr. Jacobi gave feedback on the recent NAU and LPO Congress. The NAU representative, Mr. Kotie Kretzschmar followed up with more clarity regarding some of these issues. He made special reference to the newly introduced Land Tax and the implications thereof as well as possible mitigation strategies to cope with this. Farmers were warned not to become emotional about the issue, but rather be steadfast in their approach and cooperate with the NAU to deal with this dilemma.
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| Gunter Kahl handing over the documentation of the Sattelite Tracking system for police vehicles at Kalkfeld Station to Deputy Commissioner G. Muvavenjono |
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| Police officers from Kalkfeld police station with Deputy Commissioner, G Muvavenjono on the far left |
Farmer, Gunter Kahl handed over documentation of the Satellite Tracking system that was installed in police vehicles at Kalkfeld police Station to Deputy Police Commissioner for Otjujonjupa Region, Gerhard Muvavenjono. Gunter Kahl further emphasized that he will continue to assist the Police Office in Kalkfeld with the repair of their vehicles and that other farmers of the Kalkfeld Farmers Association are also coming on board with financial assistance.
In his address Deputy Police Commissioner, Gerhard Muvavenjono thanked the Kalkveld farmers for their pro active approach to combat stock theft and poaching. He assured the farmers that Kalkfeld Police Station will not relent in their actions against these forms of crime and that farmers can count on the speedy assistance of his officers in Kalkfeld. He also went on to mention that the Police force in Otjozondjupa has recently seized 28 bags (50 kg each) of game meat and 18 cattle carcasses. They have also recovered 32 stolen cattle, 8 goats and 16 sheep.
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| Meatco presentation |
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| Heimer B. from Meatco Procurement |
Meatco made a very detailed presentation about the current situation of their industry. It was clear from this that the red meat industry is in a difficult period with Meatco carrying the cost of export compliance (trace ability, HACCP and ISO accreditation etc) while at the same time trying to maintain a competitive industry within Namibia. Other much smaller export facilities benefit an equal share of the export quota to Norway without any social responsibility regarding the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) while Meatco producers (representing about 90% of commercial livestock producers) support the red meat industry in the NCA with N$1,50/kg of carcass weight.
It was very clear from the presentation that the red meat industry is at a very difficult juncture and that a clear vision is needed for a sustainable future. The signing of new contracts (delivery agreements) for 2013 was also explained.
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| Dr. Liezel Van Der Waal, State Veterinarian from Omaruru |
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