Amarika Farmers’ Cooperative opens butchery at Outapi

The Amarika Farmers’ Cooperative opened a butchery in Outapi on Thursday in the Omusati Region.The event was officiated by the agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein.Schlettwein said the business was made possible with the assistance of the Namibian government, the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany for their financial support through the development of livestock farming infrastructure that was handed over to the Amarika Farmers’ Cooperative on Wednesday.‘Good business acumen’He said the cooperative decided to start a butchery to supply meat products to Outapi residents and the neighbouring communities for years to come. The cooperative also operates another butchery in Okahao, which began operations in April 2020."I therefore stand here proudly to celebrate the good business acumen that the cooperative continues to demonstrate in the country. It has been the dream of the Amarika Farmer’s Cooperative to establish a sustainable value chain for the livestock that they produce, and this dream has now become a reality. I have no doubt in my mind that this initiative will go a long way in motivating and encouraging local farmers to produce more livestock and supply the two butcheries for the benefit of all the residents of the Omusati Region," Schlettwein said.In supportHe told those in attendance that the Okahao branch was equipped by the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ-F4R), which supplied meat cutters, cold rooms, display fridges, sausage fillers, working tables, and a vehicle to the value of N$480 000.The Outapi butchery was equipped by a project within the ministry to the value of N$197 000 to procure the biltong cabinet, deep fridge, display chiller fridge and vacuum sealer.In addition, Schlettwein said the staff members of the Amarika Farmers’ Cooperative have also received training funded by GIZ-F4R on meat handling, meat hygiene and meat processing."However, due to the effects of drought, only 60% of cattle slaughtered in the butchery are currently sourced from cooperative members, while the remaining 40% are sourced from other livestock farmers elsewhere in the Omusati Region," he said.The butchery currently employs three staff members, and operations started in May 2023.The butchery supplies biltong, chilli bites, droerwors, Viennas, Russians, and boerewors, among other meat products.

Amarika Farmers’ Cooperative opens butchery at Outapi

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

Please login to leave a comment

Amarika Farmers’ Cooperative opens butchery at Outapi

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

Please login to leave a comment

Login