>Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, officially reopened the Farmers Meat small stock abattoir at Mariental on Thursday.

Farmers Meat, which is part of the Hartlief Group, resumed commercial operations in October 2022 after a two-year closure due to drought, which led to a shortage of sheep that affected the facility’s operations.

In his statement availed to Nampa, Schlettwein said the reopening of the abattoir and processing facility is a positive development in the Namibian sheep and small stock sector.

Schlettwein congratulated the board and management of Farmers Meat, Hartlief, and the O&L Group for their investment in the facility.

“The coming online of this facility resonates well with the government policy objectives of achieving high inclusive economic growth, economic diversification, value-addition, and job creation. A direct or indirect source of livelihood for a large share of the population is the sector that stands the best chance to induce great latitude of inclusion, quality economic growth, and social progression,” Schlettwein said.

The minister further said the reopening of Farmers Meat and the economic opportunities it brings for small stock farmers are a catalyst for the entire small stock value chain. He said it creates a sustainable market for sheep and other small stock producers through competitive pricing and sourcing of slaughter-ready sheep and goats from producers, leading to positive multiplier effects.

“The reopening of Farmers Meat is a prime example of how private investment serves as a catalyst for revitalising economic activity in general, and the small stock industry in particular,” he said.

Furthermore, Schlettwein said he was pleased that Parliament approved the amended Meat Industry Act, which creates a consolidated regulatory framework through which meat industries can be better and more effectively supported.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency