Communal ostrich farming thrown a lifeline

KEETMANSHOOP – Communal ostrich farmers in the Karas Region can breathe a sigh of relief now that a much anticipated N$14 million loan from the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (AgriBank) is in reach.

During a meeting held at Vredefontein in the Vaalgras area, communal ostrich farmers where informed that the Agriculture Ministry, AgriBank and the Karas Abattoir and Tannery Processors (KATP) have entered into a joint agreement that will revive the ailing industry in the region. The Ministry will procure the funds from AgriBank while KATP, formerly known as the Ostrich Producers of Namibia (OPN), will serve as a market for slaughter birds raised by the ostrich farmers.A standoff between the Ministry and the Karas Communal Ostrich Farmers’ Trust (KCOFT) on how the N$14 million should be administered delayed the release of the funds for over a year.While Government was willing to provide collateral for the loan, it felt that AgriBank should administer the funds directly at the directive of KCOFT.This did not go down well with the trust, which wanted the funds to be released directly into its care.However, the more than 50 ostrich farmers from the Berseba and Vaalgras areas decided to sever links with KCOFT, blaming the trust for bureaucratic delays and failing them during the period when the industry was going through its most difficult time.About 2 500 ostriches of the communal ostrich farmers died in the 2001-02 breeding season due to a lack of fodder after funds where depleted.This basically lead to the total collapse of the industry.The Acting Deputy Director for Extension Services for the Hardap and Karas Regions, Paul de Wind, told the ostrich farmers that the funds would be released within a month once the farmers’ signed their contracts.Many stakeholders in the industry remain doubtful however about the future of the struggling ostrich industry.The industry has been hard hit by the strong appreciation of the South African rand and consequently the Namibian dollar against the US dollar.The situation was also aggravated by a lack of chicks to supply the communal sector from the commercial sector.- NampaThe Ministry will procure the funds from AgriBank while KATP, formerly known as the Ostrich Producers of Namibia (OPN), will serve as a market for slaughter birds raised by the ostrich farmers.A standoff between the Ministry and the Karas Communal Ostrich Farmers’ Trust (KCOFT) on how the N$14 million should be administered delayed the release of the funds for over a year.While Government was willing to provide collateral for the loan, it felt that AgriBank should administer the funds directly at the directive of KCOFT.This did not go down well with the trust, which wanted the funds to be released directly into its care.However, the more than 50 ostrich farmers from the Berseba and Vaalgras areas decided to sever links with KCOFT, blaming the trust for bureaucratic delays and failing them during the period when the industry was going through its most difficult time.About 2 500 ostriches of the communal ostrich farmers died in the 2001-02 breeding season due to a lack of fodder after funds where depleted.This basically lead to the total collapse of the industry.The Acting Deputy Director for Extension Services for the Hardap and Karas Regions, Paul de Wind, told the ostrich farmers that the funds would be released within a month once the farmers’ signed their contracts.Many stakeholders in the industry remain doubtful however about the future of the struggling ostrich industry.The industry has been hard hit by the strong appreciation of the South African rand and consequently the Namibian dollar against the US dollar.The situation was also aggravated by a lack of chicks to supply the communal sector from the commercial sector.- Nampa