152 graduate as farm-machinery operators

From a total of 438 farm-machinery operators originally recruited, 152 have already graduated from a mandatory one-month training course.

Of these, 39 are from the Mashare Irrigation Training Centre, 33 from the Mashare Agricultural Development Institute (Madi), 41 from the Okashana Rural Development Centre and 39 from the Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre.

The remaining 286 recruited operators will start their training early next year.

At a graduation ceremony at Madi in the Kavango East Region, where successful trainees received certificates, agriculture ministry executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said the training focused on the operation and maintenance of agricultural machinery.

Offered by the ministry, this kind of training is the first of its kind and ensures that operators are well-skilled in the operation and handling of tractors and the accompanying implements, she said.

“This occasion marks yet another milestone in our endeavours to increase agricultural production and productivity, thereby fostering economic empowerment of our farmers through the provision of subsidised agricultural services such as ploughing services, planting and cultivating.”

Increasing productivity

Nghituwamata said the ministry - with the support of the African Development Bank - is implementing the Namibia Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project (Namsip).

One of the key challenges affecting food security in Namibia is rural producers’ inability to access agricultural inputs such as seeds, farm machinery and equipment required for effective land preparation, planting, weeding and harvesting.

“This challenge negatively affects agricultural production, post-harvest handling and marketing.”

She said the agricultural mechanisation component of Namsip will therefore enable farmers to complete farming operations in a timely manner, especially in the crop-producing regions where rain-fed farming systems are used.

Nghituwamata added that it will also help increase productivity and reduce the cost of cultivation.

“This project is fundamental in ensuring timely availability and accessibility of quality certified seeds.”

Efficient and timely

According to her, the ministry - through Namsip - has procured 350 tractors with matching implements aimed at enabling farmers to complete their farm operations in an efficient and timely manner through provision of mechanised services.

To ensure sustained and continuous provision of mechanised services, the ministry aims to equip farm-machinery operators with knowledge and skills in operation and management through its training.

Nghituwamata said in recent times, significant advances have been achieved in agricultural production - greatly through the use of machinery, equipment and other technical systems.

During the training, challenges experienced in the agricultural value chain were addressed, she said.

According to the executive director, issues of farm power and machinery, husbandry equipment, harvesters and feed-processing machines were adequately covered.

Training content also covered general driving rules, tractor power generation, transmission, implements and hitching systems as well as field conservation operations and adjustments, maintenance of farm machinery and other related issues.