Niël Terblanché
A large number of stock brands and other livestock-related information that has fallen into disuse has prompted the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reforms to revisit and revise its database.
The Executive Director of the agriculture ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata in a statement said that an awareness campaign will be launched among all farmers in Namibia to update the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS).
“The campaign will be undertaken by officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) in collaboration with the Meat Board of Namibia from the 17th of July 2023 to the 31st of October 2023,” she said.
According to Nghituwamata, the campaign was prompted by the high number of stock brands registered on the Nam.LITS database which is not in use and outdated livestock-related information.
“In an effort to address the issues, registered stock brands that have not been in use for two years or more will be deactivated in line with the Stock Brands Act, Act 24 of 1995,” she said.
Nghituwamata added that the purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness and educate farmers on the appropriate use of ear tags, and stock brands as well as provide guidance on how to register on NamLITS online.
“There will be dedicated stations in each region to assist livestock farmers with updating stock brands, ear tags and livestock-related information on the NamLITS,” she said.
According to Nghituwamata, officials from the Meat Board and the Directorate of Veterinary Services will be visiting all the regions to engage with livestock farmers and the regional authorities during the campaign.
She added that a programme on the regional visits will be shared on all available platforms which will include Facebook and Twitter, news outlets as well as the websites of the ministry and the Meat Board.
“An official notice to deactivate stock brands not in use and other outdated livestock information will be issued after the completion of the campaign, Nghituwamata said.
She encouraged all farmers to contact the NamLITS Offices in Windhoek, Ondangwa or the Meat Board of Namibia for more information about stock brands that might have fallen into disuse and also requested that farmers cooperate and support officials to make a success of the campaign.
