NamLITS and stock brand awareness campaign ends today despite overwhelming response – Windhoek Observer

Niël Terblanché

Although the awareness campaign for stock brands and the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS) has exceeded expectations in updating livestock keeper information and stock brands on the relevant databases, it is coming to a close today.

An overwhelming response from farmers by the end of October this year led to a two-month extension of the campaign.

However, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has announced that stock brands not verified by today’s deadline will risk suspension.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR), in collaboration with the Meat Board of Namibia, initiated the awareness campaign for stock brands and NamLITS on July 17, 2023, with an initial end date of October 31, 2023.

At the end of October, the Executive Director of MAWLR, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, pointed out that livestock farmers had been flocking to State Veterinary Offices across the country and the Meat Board office in Windhoek to update their stock brands.

Nghituwamata stressed the importance of having the correct documentation for updating stock brand and livestock keeper information.

Farmers were required to provide the completed prescribed form, available at all verification and update points, along with a certified copy of their Identification Documents (ID) and a certified copy of their Stock Brand Card or Stock Brand Certificate.

She expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their active participation and cooperation during the last four months of the awareness campaign.

Nghituwamata was of the opinion that, in the end, the campaign would benefit both farmers and the broader agricultural industry.