Ngamiland farmers have welcomed the decision by Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) to increase the cattle buying price, saying it will boost the beef industry. They said although they had hoped BMC would increase prices to P33/kg they accept the new price at P26/kg. BMC spokesperson, Brian Dioka said the increase is a subsidy from the government as a response to the current drought. He said BMC has increased the cattle buying price to P37/kg (a 9% increase) for European Union (EU) market and P26/kg (15% increase) for other markets, to encourage farmers to sell more cattle. The increase is good news to Ngamiland farmers, who are in the red zone, as their cattle prices are now equivalent to those of green zones. Maun BMC has been buying cattle at P19.50/kg but after the reintroduction of quarantine the prices were increased to P23/kg, with the latest increase reaching P26 pula/kg. The new prices will be continue until November. Dioka encouraged Ngamiland farmers to take advantage of the increase and sell their cattle in numbers to reduce the risk of losing them to the drought. Cattle from Ngamiland will be kept in quarantines for 30 days, following Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)…