Government is re-structuring the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) chain of abattoirs to improve their efficiency and economic viability as well as to create a market for farmers.
The Minister of Agriculture Dr Edwin Dikoloti said government has been forced to separate the abattoirs of Lobatse, Francistown and Maun so that each of the abattoirs operates as an independent business from one another.
Answering questions tabled by Member of Parliament (MP) for Nata/Gweta Polson Majaga, Dikoloti said it is no longer business as usual as the ministry has decided to separate the three abattoirs as a way of improving the BMC.
“This arrangement will assist in ensuring that each of the abattoirs does not become a financial burden to the other and under the above scenario, BMC abattoir in Maun will remain under Government assistance because of its sensitivity due to frequent disease outbreaks whilst the Francistown abattoir will remain under care and maintenance while a consideration is being made to lease it out or for BMC to enter into joint venture with a private entity to operate it,” said Dikoloti.
MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Dithapelo Keorapetse also asked the minister to appraise parliament about the future of BMC given that government has in the past bailed out the entity to no avail.
In his response Dr Dikoloti said it was important to correct the national herd size which will benefit the industry in both quality and increased quantity.
The minister said the Privatisation of BMC and Liberalisation of the Beef Industry that is in the process will create an opportunity for the beef industry.
He said everything should start with modisa wa dikgomo (a cattle herder)for farmers to be able to produce qualitynational herd size which will benefit the industry in both quality and increased quantity.
The minister said his ministry is committed to complete the exercise so it shall business unusual.
