MEAT BAN AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS

MBABANE – The constant creeping of diseases like foot and mouth in livestock, which propel government to ban imports of hooved animal produce, has created an opportunity for farmers.

There is now a need, according to Lwazi Mamba from the Farmers Union, for more abattoirs. Following the ban of animal produce imported from South Africa last year, many farmers exploited the markets which was great for the economy. However, after producing the large numbers in hooved animals, Mamba said, farmers experienced a challenge in slaughtering the animals. “Last year, piggery gained momentum and farmers entered the formal market; however, they had to share abattoirs with other livestock products which then compromised the quality of their produce.”

Challenge

He said this posed a challenge to the market and quality of the produce they could avail to the local markets and implored investors to make use of this niche. Another challenge that came about due to the increased demand of locally produced livestock was that of feed. Mamba said the amount in which livestock feed retailed at in local markets made it a challenge to present competitive prices compared to imports sourced from South Africa. He said due to the feed being imported, its price was higher and therefore added to the production costs incurred by farmers. The farmer appealed to those who had land to utilise this opportunity and venture into producing it.

On the other hand, Mamba noted the third quarter report presented by the Ministry of Economic Planning was precise in identifying the drop in crop production. He said the constant changing weather patterns were scaring farmers from investing large amounts into crop production. “Last year, the rains were at lengthy intervals which made farmers sceptical to plough their fields.” To deal with the challenge, he said, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, they were empowering farmers with climate-smart agriculture. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is an approach to help the people who manage agricultural systems respond effectively to climate change. 

“The CSA approach pursues the triple objectives of sustainably increasing productivity and incomes, adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible.”
He said emphasis was on acknowledging the precipitation of the area in which one was farming and seeking guidance based on that. Mamba said in dry areas, farmers should explore production of crops that needed minimal rains like beans (which have a massive market).

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