Windhoek (jdt/ak) • The stabilisation of Namibia’s Meat Corporation (Meatco) is, according to Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani, a matter of national interest. Speaking at Meatco’s annual meeting in Windhoek, she praised recent progress but warned that the recovery process is not yet complete.
Meatco remains a “strategic partner” in government efforts to increase agriculture’s contribution to the national economy to six percent by 2030. In recent years, the company has made noticeable improvements in governance, financial discipline and internal management. A stronger Meatco, the minister said, supports producer confidence and strengthens rural income structures.
Nevertheless, Zaamwani stressed that further work is needed. Long-term stability requires closer alignment with producers, broader market access, strict cost control and a strategy that reflects the goals of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6). Government, she said, will continue to provide policy as well as veterinary and regulatory support to secure the company’s recovery.
A “national fight” against FMD
A key focus of her address was Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). Describing it as more than just a veterinary challenge, but a “national fight”, Zaamwani warned that an outbreak could instantly dismantle decades of work spent building Namibia’s reputation as a premium beef exporter. While the veterinary authorities have increased border checks and vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas, Zaamwani noted that biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Farmers, transporters and traditional authorities must cooperate closely on animal movements and traceability.
The minister also acknowledged the pressures facing producers, from drought and climate shocks to fluctuating global markets and rising costs. Support is needed on both sides of the Veterinary Cordon Fence. Improved infrastructure, reliable veterinary services and broader market access are meant to strengthen resilience and ensure that the red-meat sector remains a foundation for rural development.
Zaamwani ended her remarks on a note of cautious optimism. The progress made at Meatco is encouraging, she said, yet sustainable success requires disciplined management and ongoing vigilance. Namibia’s livestock industry has always been strongest when government, Meatco and producers work together toward shared goals.
