Opportunity for NCA farmers

An agricultural delegation from Germany last week visited several projects in Namibia and says while there are many opportunities in the agricultural sector for Namibia, it faces several challenges.

The delegation had quite a strong focus on the area north of Namibia’s red line. Herald Ebner, a member of the German group, spoke to the media about meat produced north of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF) which is still a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) zone.

He said the delegation proposed to agriculture minister John Mutorwa that farmers should obtain a certificate for organically and naturally pastured reared cattle specifically for the farmers in the northern communal areas. This certificate can be obtained in Germany and indicates a far higher quality beef and is an opportunity for these farmers that do not have a market to sell their meat.

Dr Wilhelm Priesmeier said FMD is very difficult to combat and that Angola and Zambia must cooperate with Namibia to fight the disease. He added that to a certain extent, the veterinary cordon fence helps, but cooperation with other countries is necessary.

According to head of the delegation, Alois Gerig, their country’s secretary of state on Wednesday travelled to the north of Namibia specifically to gather more information about the “red line” and FMD.

“We have the expertise on how to combat diseases and would like to assist.”

Another member, Hermann Fäber said what impressed him most during the visit is the manner in which natural resources are used such as the bushes that are used for fodder and charcoal.

The delegation, from the German Committee on Food and Agriculture also visited several communal agricultural projects, a vocational training centre and commercial enterprises in Namibia.

They also met with Mutorwa as well as the land reform minister Utoni Nujoma, and members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources.

The visit focused on the effects of climate change on agriculture, the importance of land reform for the agricultural sector in southern Africa, economic vocational and further training, the improvement of rural regions, the development potential for urban agriculture as well as the prospects of trade in the area of food and agriculture.

According to Gerig, the reason for the trip to Namibia was to strengthen ties between the two countries, especially in the field of agriculture.

He said the delegation saw projects carried out through German funding in Namibia and stressed that training and education is an important factor to take into account at these projects.

According to him, the delegation came to the conclusion that the financial contributions made to these projects are invested and utilised well.

He also said the delegation spoke to farmers’ associations and political representatives from Germany in Namibia as well as non-governmental organisations. According to him, there are 800 million people suffering from hunger across the globe and it is therefore essential that countries work together to produce food.

“We see Namibia on a good path to meeting these challenges and we want to ensure that Germany will support Namibia,” Gerig said.

Regarding the meeting with Nujoma, he said that the discussions were held in a friendly atmosphere and he showed the delegation how land reform will continue in a peaceful atmosphere in Namibia. According to Gerig, the matter of expropriation of land in Namibia was not discussed during the meeting.

Priesmeier however said the optimism of Gerig is not shared by all in the delegation.

He said Namibia faces enormous economic challenges and without financial support he does not see how it can move forward, especially in the agriculture sector. He stressed that Namibia needs to increase its crop yields and that Germany should increase support to Namibia.

He also said the expropriation of land is a problem in Namibia that is caused by the budget difficulty.

Meanwhile, Rita Hagl-Kehl said Nujoma shared their ministry’s plans to develop communal land in the country and to have surveys conducted throughout the country.

Ebner added that Nujoma stressed land reform is only possible through intensive training and he greatly respects how the land reform has been carried out in Namibia through the willing-buyer, willing-seller system.

This, he said, has contributed to the peace and stability in the country.

Ebner also said Namibia needed to further develop its infrastructure as there are many communities that produce and live far away from the markets of their products.

ELLANIE SMIT