National farmers’ union urges members to vote

Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) chairperson Vetuundja Kazapua has called on all Namibian farmers to vote in the presidential and National Assembly elections next week.

In a media statement on Friday, Kazapua said farming is a key sector of the economy and national livelihood, hence it is of vital importance that all farmers in the country participate in the elections.

“Various political parties in their race for the elections have made promises that seem to be addressing pressing farming issues directly related to agriculture or farm businesses. There have also been considerable discussions regarding the importance of sustainable environmental conservation, governance, green hydrogen and carbon credits,” he said.

The primary role of farmers’ associations and unions is to advocate, lobby and ensure a conducive farming or production environment for farmers. In the process, supportive policy and reassuring legal frameworks are the foundation for a prosperous farming environment, he highlighted.

“National governance structures, represented by elected members and parliamentarians, are custodians of the policy making process. Therefore, farmers’ participation in electing capable leaders must be an undoubtedly important act.

“In addition, farmers must participate to elect and assign our interests in skillful hands, through the voting process. Moreover, it is through the elected government and its governance structure where trade agreements, policies and bills will be deliberated and enforced,” he said.
Kazapua highlighted that tight margins and low profitability in various farming sub-sectors, such as crop, dairy, poultry, beef and fuel/energy, have worsened considerably.

“This is putting some farm operations at the brink of financial disaster. Access to land, land tax, crop and livestock production expenses, land rental rates and input costs have increased substantially over years. Not forgetting, the severe impact of climate change on agricultural production, [through] drought and disasters.

“Farmers’ leaders and operators also focus on the importance of having strong, responsive and flexible trade agreements and access to solid lucrative markets for our export products, as well as less trade disputes within the value chain’s components,” Kazapua added.