Meatco engages newly appointed abattoir operators
Meatco recently held a meeting aimed at capacity building for the newly appointed abattoir operators, mainly those one who will be operating from the Northern Communal Area (NCA) and the Omaheke region.
The meeting was attended by Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) members which included their arms like the Zambezi Meat Corporation (Zamco), Tjomet and Kiat Investment Holdings.
The engagement with Meatco Executive and technical staff focused on capacity building and how to efficiently manage abattoir operations. The team visited Meatco’s Windhoek Factory for a thorough exposure of its set-up and the various systems in place.
Meatco’s Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Ingo Schneider presented fundamental aspects such as Meatco’s business model in the NCA, challenges faced and the total number of animals previously and currently slaughtered in the area.
“The performance of the agricultural industry in Namibia generates similar problems for stakeholders in the NCA and those South of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (SVCF),” Schneider said.
Alfred Chilinda, Chairperson and member from Zamco, pointed out that the visit was an eye opener. “Meatco’s business model has provided us with ideas that we can utilise to run the northern abattoirs. We therefore value this opportunity and strongly believe that this is the beginning of building solid relationships within the beef industry which will benefit each and every Namibian directly or indirectly,” he said.
Tjomet member, Tjombumbi Tjiueza said, “The introduction of the factory’s operations from when the animal is slaughtered up until the final packaging stage was indeed very informative. I hope that in the future more stakeholders in the beef industry can also have the opportunity of visiting this world class facility and thus attain more knowledge.”
At the same occasion, Kiat Spokesperson and Executive Director, Sikunawa Negumbo equally expressed his impression on the warm welcome at Meatco. He further said, “The plant’s organised operations whereby each individual is in place and working collectively with others to produce the final product as well as the packaging methods adhered to remains very educational.”
NNFU Programme Manager, Beata Xulu said that the new northern abattoir owners are ready, adding that the idea was to indicate what it takes to run an abattoir business.
“It is now solely up to them to engage closely with Meatco and other stakeholders like the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) and make the abattoirs a success and a source of employment in their respective regions,” Xulu said.
