NNFU sheds regional functions

The Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) has underwent a restructuring exercise that has seen it shed some its regional operations.NNFU executive director Mwilima Mushokobanji said they will no longer run regional activities, which will now be done through regional farmers' unions.The organisation got rid of seven employees, four of whose contracts came to an end, and three regional coordinators.“All NNFU activities will continue and they are not affected by this. We have readjusted the operation and restructured the employment structure. The strategy has changed; we used to have regional offices headed by regional coordinators, administratively. Farmers themselves felt that instead of investing in regional secretariats, we should directly invest in regional farmers' unions,” said Mushokobanji.“We survive on levy funding from the Meat Board of Namibia and due to the economic situation in the county, the levy from the Meat Board was reduced. Because of this funding reduction, we reduced the restructure and realigned the operation.”The NNFU had regional offices in Oshana, Kavango East and //Karas.It was established in June 1992 to serve as a mouthpiece for Namibian communal and emerging farmers. Twelve regional farmers' unions are currently affiliated to it, and nationally, 130 farmers' organisations.In total, 35 125 individual farmers are affiliated to the NNFU.Mushokobanji said the regional farmers' unions will now be coordinating all regional activities on their own, while implementing programmes and running day-to-day operations.“We had to change our structure because the environment outside has also changed. We now want to make sure that we have a farmer-driven approach to development. We want our regional farmers' unions and local farmers associations to be stronger, mature and be able to handle issues on their own.“This will be more sustainable. They will be given support, not only from the NNFU, but also from the industry itself,” Mushokobanji added.ILENI NANDJATO

NNFU sheds regional functions

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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NNFU sheds regional functions

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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