Daures farmers want to take reins of Namibian farming

FARMERS from across Namibia met for an information-sharing meeting at Farm Vleis Bank (//Gan-!Haob in Damara/Nama) near Uis in the Daures Constituency during the weekend.

The farm is owned by the former policeman and nurse, Engelhard /Uiseb.

//Karas governor Clinton Swartbooi and Damara chief Justus //Garoeb also attended the meeting. Other attendees were livestock farmers, representatives from Agribank, Meat Board and Meatco, as well as officials from the ministries of agriculture, water and forestry and lands and resettlement.

They gave presentations on how to get access to Agribank loans, the impact of recently closed borders to South Africa, what Meatco offers to the farmers, the advantages of farming with Swakara, challenges facing communal farmers at auctions and animal health, among others.

The practical session included looking at the selection of a good bull.

In his speech, Swartbooi emphasised the importance of hard work and creativity in farming. He suggested that government should invest more money and resources towards private farmers, so that they can contribute to the national economy.

/Uiseb encouraged young people to take up farming, saying, “Many people nowadays think that farming is just for the old people. It’s not true and I am an example of this. There are a lot of opportunities out there for young farmers, but they just need to know how things work. That is why I organised this meeting. Here we can hear what products and services are available to kick-start successful farming projects, and learn from experts about the opportunities and means to improve farming in Namibia. It is also time for networking between farmers from the different regions,” /Uiseb told The Namibian.

The farmers’ day was attended by around 200 full-time and part-time farmers from the surrounding farms as well as places such as Swakopmund, Walvis Bay, Usakos, Omaruru, Khorixas, Otjiwarongo, Okahandja, Windhoek and even Hoachanas and Keetmanshoop in the south.