Destock, cull to mitigate pending drought

April - June 2019 | Price: N$ 26.50 | Vol 4, Issue 2

Destock, cull to mitigate pending drought

Grape farmers bemoan Or-ange River mismanagement 10

Case IH, Quadtrac scoop machine awards 15

Agritech Expo celebrates 6th birthday 16

2 Namibian Farmer | April - June 2019 www.namibianfarming.com

Norbrook Advert Moz - Agri.indd 1 2018/08/15 12:51 PM

www.namibianfarming.com Namibian Farmer | April - June 2019 3

The Namibian Farmer Magazine is a quarterly professional Farmingfor the Namibian Farming. With a decent print run of 3850 copies

per issue and a magnificent online presence, this magazine remainthe preferred source of Namibian Farming news both locally and

internationally

Publisher :Evans Mumba

General Manager:Audrick Chigiji

Editor:Jacob Botha: [email protected]

WritersCris Muyunda

Vincent RukoroNdama Nakashole

Tony NarusebNel Coetzee

Graphics and ProductionsMerlin Wilson (Pty) Ltd

Rekai Musari Mutisi– Design & Layout

Advertisement SalesDonald Mumba: donaldc@namibianfarmer

Similo Ngwenya: [email protected] Mkhize: [email protected]

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Information, Database, Archive andDistribution Management

Subscription and Sales AdministratorHazel Mukwamba l Elise Lusungo:

Published By:MTI Media

Physical Address: The Namibian Farmer15 Veronica Street

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Postal Address: P.O Box 136, Windhoek, Namibia

Tel: +264 81 265 2004 l Fax: +264 81 265 2005 lEmail: [email protected]

Website: www.namibianfarming.com

ContentsEDITORIAL COMMENT

NEWS BRIEFS

AgriBusDev seek private funds for ORIP : ....................................................... 5Zambezi and Hardap regions. : .......................................................................... 5DFN challenge to increase harvest : .................................................................. 5Government neglect orchards projects : ......................................................... 5N$ 111 windfall for farmers, as drought : ....................................................... 5Penguins death toll rises : ...................................................................................... 5

COVER STORY

Destock, cull to mitigate pending drought : .................................................. 6

NEWS

Vegetable imports ban imposed : ...................................................................... 7Agric is answer to country’s barrel of challenges : ...................................... 8Climate change adaptation project funded : ................................................. 9Grape farmers bemoan Orange River mismanagement : ......................... 10Ohangwena Cooperative enjoys Meatco Foundation support : ............ 11Spotlight zooms on slaughter industry competitiveness : ....................... 12

CORPORATE NEWS

Bayer, Tinga empower farmers : ......................................................................... 14Case IH, Quadtrac scoop machine awards : ................................................... 15

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Agritech Expo celebrates 6th birthday : ........................................................... 16Wake up call for farmers in SA : ........................................................................... 17

OPINION & ANALYSIS

Farming in Namibia is a permanent struggle : ............................................... 18

April - June 2019 | Price: N$ 26.50 | Vol 4, Issue 2


Grape farmers bemoan Or-ange River mismanagement 10

Case IH, Quadtrac scoop machine awards 15

Agritech Expo celebrates 6th birthday 16


EDITORIAL COMMENT

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Action and more action is the only solu-tion to many of our challenges in the farming sector.

Recently cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to encourage farmers consider measures such as destocking and culling of animals while their livestock is in good shape.

The call out for precautionary measures is bound to be met with some resistance. No farmer could easily jump on to that decision without asking why.

Sometimes the bond that farmers build with their animals will not easily allow them to easily let go. Others pride themselves in seeing their herds of cattle grow, flocks of sheep balloon and others.

However, as drought looms due to erratic rain-fall, we need to take such action. And we say Kudos to government for realising that action is necessary to not only protect environment but farmers too.

Yes, shortage of grazing land will eventually create challenges for farmers, such poor quality of their livestock and even death due to over-crowding. And this development will mean looses for the farmers yet no farmer needs such.

Unfortunatel some farmers in regions such as Kunene and Omaheke have already started los-ing their livestock due to drought effects being felt in some parts of the country.

Therefore cabinet directive to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, in collaboration with regional councils to monitor the situation and respond accordingly in areas affected by poor agricultural production is most welcome.

Another welcome action is government’s re-cently announcement that it has made ar-rangements with Amta to buy surplus mahangu from the crop-growing regions of the country.

Mahangu farmers have been struggling to sell their surplus grain after the harvesting season in 2018.

According to the ministry of agriculture’s ‘Crop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report’ for July 2018, the production of white maize was estimated at 59 000 metric tons, of which 55 656 metric tons were marketed.

In the case of mahangu, the total production was estimated at 83 500 metric tons, of which about 3 600 metric tons were registered for for-mal marketing but to date, only 1 361 metric tons were marketed, leaving a balance of 2 239 metric tons not marketed.

Yes with more and more action from govern-ment situations could improve for the farming community, therefore is a big Kudos to govern-ment for taking some of these futuristic deci-sion that continue to bolster the farming sector and ensure sustainability.

Remember to share comments, suggestions and letters on [email protected]

Enjoy the read!

Thumps up to mindset change initiatives

Andrew Maramwidze (Editor)


NEWS BRIEFS

AgriBusDev seek private funds for ORIP

Agricultural Business Development Agency (AgriBusDev) has announced plans to secure funds to develop the Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP) at Aussenkehr from the private sector.

“We have consulted the Ministry of Agricul-ture, Water and Forestry and the AgriBusDev board and they have approved us acquiring a private investor to further develop the project. We will advertise the tenders at the beginning of March,” said Petrus Uugwanga, AgriBusDev Managing Director.

The private investor will be expected to develop the land for the project to generate income on the 600 hectares the company owns. Current-ly ORIP only uses 156 hectares, where grapes, dates, butternuts and watermelons are grown.

Uugwanga has stated the central government does not have the funds to develop the project, adding that with the current economic down-turn, outside assistance is needed to save the project.

ORIP is one of the 11 green schemes managed and overseen by the agency. The other green schemes are situated in the Omusati, Kavango East and West, Zambezi and Hardap regions.

DFN challenge to increase harvest

Desert Fruit Namibia has been challenged to increase its harvest tonnage in the next two seasons, as a way to boost the country’s fruit exports.

Alpheus !Naruseb, agriculture minister said improving quality and harvesting over 1 000 tonnes, DFN will be a premier exporters of fruits.

He said the development will inject valuable in-come into the economy.

Established in 2005, DFN is situated some 200 kilometres from Karasburg and its first date palms were planted in 2006, and the farm is one of only a handful of date producers in the southern hemisphere.

!Naruseb has been pleased with the work, stan-dards and achievements of Desert Fruit Namib-ia.

“I keenly observed every operation at DFN, and spent time with some of the rising stars of the company, who are being groomed to take over the future management of the entity,” !Naruseb said.

Government neglect orchards projects

State orchards in the northern region of the

country have been left to wilt after contracts for workers lapsed.

Last year, government terminated contracts for over 200 employees at the 56 state owned or-chards.

The dismissals which occurred toward the end of last year resulted in the trees being neglected and stripped of fruit by local people.

Despite, the agriculture ministry being satisfied with the progress made by its tree-planting project that launched in 2003, creating hun-dreds of jobs, the project’s objective was to plant fruit trees on a trial basis in open grass-lands - Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Os-hikoto regions.

As a result in November 2017, 56 orchards were established, covering 364 hectares and the trees generated an income of N$120 400 in the 2016/17 financial year, up from N$65 993 in the previous financial year.

In 2016/17 they harvested 17.3 tonnes of man-goes, two tonnes of guavas, 5.2 tonnes of lem-ons and 0.73 tonnes of oranges, generating N$120 405.

This year the ministry did not harvest anything, despite ministry’s intentions to develop a man-agement plan for the orchards, such as part-nerships with AMTA for selling and processing the fruit.

He added that the ministry was also consider-ing entering into public-private partnerships to manage the orchards.

Lemon, mango and guava trees are suitable for the area but frost and a lack of water are lim-iting factors. Mangoes seem to have the best local market in northern Namibia.

N$ 111 windfall for farmers, as drought

FirstRand Namibia has taken lead in responding to Namibia Agricultural Union’s (NAU) plea to the private sector to rescue farmers from im-pending drought.

As the situation remains precarious while short-falls in maize reserves as well as fertilizer have also been recorded by the agriculture ministry, First Rand has responded to the call.

Revonia Kahivere, CSI manager of the FirstRand Namibia Foundation Trust said that the plight of farmers and their animals have touched the hearts of all Namibians.

“We believe that every bit helps and are proud of our colleagues who decided to give their N$ 111 towards the plight of our farmers.

“We know that this donation will enable the Na-mibia Farmers Drought Assistance to purchase much needed fodder for their animals,” said Kahivere.

Marcha Reed of the Namibia Farmers Drought Assistance said the need for drought relief was much bigger than originally thought, as some farmer have been facing drought for the past nine years without proper rain.

Penguins death toll rises

Avian influenza continues to wipe out penguins at the Halifax Island beach near Lüderitz.

The Lüderitz Maritime Research Group has esti-mated that more than 500 penguins have died since the first bird flu outbreak towards the end of last year.

“Unfortunately, there is another confirmation that the mortality is continuing unabated,” said Lüderitz Maritime Research Group recently.

According to the group, they have noticed that most of the affected penguins are clustered around “colony 2” on the south side of the is-land, and in particular near a muddy patch ad-joining this colony.

The Researchers said the fisheries ministry’s of-ficials had recently spread buckets of salt over the mud patch in an attempt to lower the rate of infection.


COVER STORY

Farmers in areas with poor grazing have been advised to take precautionary mea-sures, as drought looms due to erratic rainfall.

The cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to encourage farmers con-sider measures such as destocking and culling of animals while their livestock is in good shape.

Most farmers in regions such as Kunene and Omaheke have already started losing their live-stock due to drought effects being felt in some parts of the country.

Stanley Simataa, Minister of Information Communication and Technology announcing cabinet briefing said cabinet has directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, in collaboration with regional councils, to monitor the situation and respond accordingly in areas affected by poor agricultural production.

“Everywhere you travel, you see drought staring in your face. All boreholes not functional need to be fixed. Where there are no boreholes, re-sources need to be made available.

“Let us use water sparingly. Let us not wait for the President to tell us. We need to change the culture of wasting water,” Simatta said.

He said the process should be done through the identification of food insecure people and requesting food assistance from the govern-ment.

The agricultural ministry has already made a move after it announced that government would buy the available mahangu from farmers through the state-owned Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta).

Percy Misika, the executive director in the minis-try of agriculture, recently announced that gov-

ernment had made arrangements with Amta to buy surplus mahangu from the crop-growing regions of the country.

Mahangu farmers have been struggling to sell their surplus grain after the harvesting season in 2018.

According to the ministry of agriculture’s “Crop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report” for July 2018, the production of white maize was estimated at 59 000 metric tons, of which 55 656 metric tons were marketed.

In the case of mahangu, the total production was estimated at 83 500 metric tons, of which about 3 600 metric tons were registered for for-mal marketing but to date, only 1 361 metric tons were marketed, leaving a balance of 2 239 metric tons not marketed.



NEWS

Government has temporarily banned importation of certain vegetables to boost sells for the local massive pro-duction.

Lesley Losper, National Horticulture Manager at Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) said the abundance of local vegetables has resulted in the ban.

NAB said the most consumed products in the country include potatoes, onions, cabbage, green beans, carrots, butternut and English cu-cumber were in sufficient supply.

Losper said the border closure is a monthly routine and dependent upon an assessment of demand and supply, adding that the ban is not expected to have impact on the local economic figures.

"The intent of the market share promotions and the closure of borders is to ensure an increasing share of local produce on the Namibian fresh produce market thereby putting more money in the pockets of local farmers. It also ensures that less money leaves the country for the im-portation of fresh produce," he explained.

The national statistics authorities said the

country imported about N$749 million worth of fruits and veggies in 2018.

Namibia has about 90 dealers in fresh produce excluding those that supply distribution centres which are always sufficient to cater to the local market during border closure.

The ban is only imposed when the NAB has done a thorough assessment of production and supply to the local market therefore both retailers and suppliers are also informed of the assessment results to ensure coordination and that the market is supplied sufficiently.

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NEWS

Opportunities for economic growth, employment creation, food security and poverty eradication are knitted in the agriculture web, the country’s

Agribank believes.

Sakaria Nghikembua, Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Agribank said to realise its full po-tential, the sector has to overcome a host of challenges.

Nghikembua said that the challenges included over-reliance on livestock farming, a skills deficit in the sector (especially amongst new entrants), lack of access to markets, and a relatively high food import bill.

Nghikembua highlighted the country’s imports of white maize as a contributor to the high food import costs, adding that horticultural products were also imported.

“Although good progress has been made in the local horticulture sector, we need to do more to close the import gap. We have access to sufficient fertile land and water resources to in-crease our self-reliance,” he said.

He also expressed concern about the declining contribution of agriculture to national gross do-mestic products.

Over the past eleven years had seen a marginal but clear reduction in the contribution of ag-

riculture to Namibia’s gross domestic product (GDP).

In 2007, agriculture’s contribution to GDP was 5,3 percent and in 2017, fell to 4,5 percent and the lowest continuous contribution was in the period 2013 to 2016, due to severe drought during much of that time.

Nghikembua called upon the nation to act, cit-ing that training and mentorships were needed to improve skills in the sector, and linkages with other farmers’ unions in the country.

Meanwhile country is also subject to recurring drought and erratic rainfall, creating over-reli-ance on livestock production.

Agric is answer to country’s barrel of

challenges


NEWS

Green Climate Fund has funded gov-ernment to the tune of US$8,9 million (approximately N$120 million) to im-plement a climate change adaptation

project over the next five years.

The project is expected to assist communi-ties living in landscapes threatened by climate change. Pohamba Shifeta, environment and tourism minister said the project will be con-ducted through the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) and implemented in eight large land-scapes.

The landscapes are the Central Northern, Low-er Eastern, Kavango West and East, Kunene North, Kunene South and Daures, Southern, Zambezi East and Zambezi West and Kyarama-can landscapes.

Shifeta said Namibia's funding was recently ap-

proved by the GCF board based on the premise that community livelihoods are services provid-ed by healthy ecosystems, including economic value through agro productive use - grazing for livestock and healthy soils for agriculture.

The minister said the eight landscapes in which the project will be implemented encompass most of Namibia's communal conservancies and community forests and are home to the majority of natural resources-reliant commu-nities covering one fifth of Namibia's land sur-face and accommodating more than 200 000 people.

“The project seeks to role out ecosystem-based approaches at large landscapes with a key fo-cus on restoration of sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands, river basins and catchment areas, veld fire management, creating compatible land uses at landscape level and facilitating val-

ue chains of natural resources,” Shifeta said.

Shifeta said with the approval of the new proj-ect, EIF has now successfully accessed interna-tional climate financing eclipsing N$1,3 billion of which more than N$560 million is in the form of project grants from the GCF.

He applauded EIF for this achievement, saying the development of climate change proposal for the country is very tough and an intense process of collating scientific information and applying a climate rationale that satisfies GCF's investment criteria.

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NEWS

Suspected mismanagement of water in the Orange-Vaal river system has lead to Aussenkehr and Noord oewer running dry.

The concern has been raised by grape farm-ers downstream of the Orange River citing that suspected increased water use upstream by South African grape farmers is the root cause of the lower parts of the river running dry.

Nico van der Merwe, Namibia Grape Farmers Association's Chairperson said the lower Or-ange River is not supposed to run dry, as there is enough water in the Orange-Vaal River sys-tem following good rains in its catchment areas.

“This year, there is 14 percent more water in the Orange-Vaal river system,” he added.

Van der Merwe bemoans lack of proper control

over water use in areas upstream the river, cit-ing that the development has caused the lower Orange River's predicament.

“We (grape farmers) believe South African grape farmers upstream are pumping out more water than their quotas, causing the lower Or-ange River to run dry. It seems they are simply ignoring our water needs,” he stated.

According to him, it is the third consecutive year that the lower Orange River has run dry, and called for government intervention to ensure that the Orange-Senqu Watercourse Commis-sion (Orasecom) agreement is honoured.

The Orasecom was established by the gov-ernments of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa through the agreement for the es-tablishment of the Orange-Senqu Commission on 3 November 2000 in Windhoek.

The agreement regulates how these nations should use the water of the Orange River.

Van der Merwe the lower Orange River near Sendelingsdrift has been flowing at the rate of between one and four cubic metres per second for the past three weeks.

“All we want is the sustainable management of the Orange-Vaal river system to prevent the lower Orange River from running dry,” Van der Merwe said.

He said the water crisis hurts about 23 farmers cultivating grapes and vegetables on land mea-suring 2 680 hectares along the lower Orange River near Aussenkehr and Noordoewer.

“The water crisis is hurting us, it has financial implications,” he stressed.

Grape farmers bemoan Orange River mismanagement


NEWS

Meatco’s corporate social investment wing – Meatco Foundation has re-cently supported the Ohangwena Livestock Marketing Cooperative

(OHLMC) in a project proposal development funded by Global Environmental Facility (GEF) through their Small Grants Programme (SGP).

The project focuses on Conservation Agricul-ture (CA), Rangeland and Livestock Manage-ment, and Livestock Marketing at Omupanda, Ekulu and Wangolo grazing areas in the region.

Started in November 2018, the project allows the Meatco Foundation to provide technical support in the implementation of its activities.

Three cluster trainings in rangeland and live-stock management and CA trainings have been conducted and CA farmers also received fer-tilisers while livestock farmers conducted the over-seeding of perennial grass.

In addition, three auctions have been held since the commencement of the project through which tents, generators and other equipment were procured to enable operations and sup-port farmers and the members.

Kuniberth Shamathe, Meatco Foundation’s Project Manager said the Foundation has facil-itated business plan development for OHLMC, which was funded by Agribank through the Di-rectorate of Cooperatives Division and Regula-

tion (DCDR) to procure two tractors.

“The two tractors were received in May 2018 and are used for ripper furrowing, hence com-plementing the CA component of the GEF-OHLMC project.

“The farmers and OHLMC members have also benefited from ripper furrowing services during 2018/2019 and the ploughing services amount-ed to more than 50 hectares prepared by Janu-ary 2019,” Shamathe said.

Meatco Foundation has been supporting indi-viduals and farmers' organisations to improve their plight of farming, especially in communal areas focusing on the livestock sector.

Ohangwena Cooperative enjoys Meatco Foundation support


NEWS

Consultation to evaluate the competi-tiveness of the slaughter industry com-pared to the export of livestock has commenced, Meat Board of Namibia

officials have announced.

Expected to be completed by April 2019, the process comes after the industry experienced a decrease in local slaughter numbers, while the export of livestock to South Africa gained momentum.

According to the Meat Board, local abattoirs have become more unproductive due to re-duced slaughter numbers and low slaughter prices.

“Namibia as a predominantly livestock and meat exporting country, must maintain a

healthy slaughter industry operating in an opti-mum environment.

“The Namibian livestock export market has been developed over many years and must be preserved at all costs,” said the Meat Board in a statement.

It further said all components of the value chain, including potential export countries, such as the Middle East, will be incorporated in the competitiveness report.

Meat Board’s latest reports indicate that the beef and lamb sectors dominate the industry and collectively account for 86 percent of all livestock consumed each year.

Meanwhile about 84 percent of beef, 77 percent of sheep and 97 percent of goats are exported

every year, the bulk of which is earmarked for South African consumption.

Currently, no pork is exported to partner mar-kets, making the country a net exporter of beef, sheep and goats.

More specifically, the local market produced a net trade surplus of 6,700 tons of beef and 2,900 tons of mutton in 2018.

In addition, Namibia exported more than 305,000 live cattle, more than 450,000 live sheep and more than 145,000 live goats on a net basis to partner countries in 2018.

Apart from South Africa, Hong Kong, Botswana and Norway, the UK remain Namibia’s import-ant export destinations.

Spotlight zooms on slaughter industry competitiveness


NEWS


CORPORATE NEWS

Crop sciences conglomerate Bayer East Africa and equipment leasing firm Tin-ga have partnered to train over 2,500 farmers on mechanised farming.

According to a communiqué from the compa-nies Tinga will provide training on crop man-agement practices and protection to improve harvests using technology.

Titus Musyoka, Tinga Manager said the firm was working with various stakeholders to help

farmers produce more.

“We are not just here to lease, rent or hire trac-tors but to ensure that farmers use modern and appropriate technology to produce more,” he said.

Musyoka said if every farmer adopted mod-ern technology food production in East Africa would increase by up to 300 per cent.

“Training and adoption of modern technology

will help farmers produce up to five times what they do today per acre. This would improve the living standards of the farmers, help the country achieve food security and reduce reliance on maize,” he added.

Bayer Smallholder Farming Manager Diana Gitonga said: “Since we partnered with Tinga in 2017, land preparation has become cheaper and easier as Tinga provides farm support and advisory.”

Bayer, Tinga empower farmers


CORPORATE NEWS

Case IH’s Versum CVXDrive with Stage V engine and Quadtrac CVXDrive have won the 2019 Machine of the Year ti-tles, respectively in the ‘mid-size’ trac-

tors and ‘XL’ tractors categories, awarded at the biennial SIMA exhibition in Paris.

Judged by a panel of European agricultural magazine editors, the accolades were given in recognition of the benefits of the proven con-tinuously-variable transmission, a unique fea-ture to Case IH, as well as the fuel efficiency and operating benefits brought to the articu-lated tracked tractor market.

The prizes add to a run of awards won recently by Case IH which recognise the brand’s focus on innovative technological developments de-signed to help enhance the sustainability, pro-ductivity and profitability of farm businesses.

The accolades range from a bronze medal in the SIMA Innovation Awards for Case IH XPow-er digital weed control technology to the 2019 Tractor of the Year title for the Maxxum 145 Ac-tiveDrive 8.

The 4.5-litre turbocharged and intercooled en-gine in the four-model 100-130hp Versum trac-tor range, which meets EU Stage V emissions legislation by combining patented under-hood after-treatment technology with a diesel oxida-tion catalyst and diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue) injector in a compact all-in-one package, drives through a standard CVXDrive continuous-ly-variable transmission. Where large amounts of road travel or field tasks such as mowing, baling, light tillage and specialist operations where it may be beneficial to separate engine

speed and forward speed are concerned, this has significant advantages.

The CVXDrive transmission in the Versum range provides stepless travel up to 40 km/h, which can be attained at reduced engine rpm.

The incorporation of double clutch technolo-gy means that, at the point it takes place, the change between the transmission’s two me-chanical ranges is seamless, and full tractive power available across the whole speed range.

An Active Hold Control feature allows the trac-tor to be easily stopped on hills and at road junctions without using the footbrakes.

Versum CVXDrive tractors also feature Auto-matic Productivity Management (APM) this fea-ture optimises the engine and transmission set-ting for either a target engine or forward speed set by the operator.

Continuously-variable transmissions have never before been available in an articulated tracked tractor, and Case IH remains the only manufac-turer to offer CVT in this type of high-horse-power machine.

The CVX transmission in the Quadtrac 470, 500 and 540 CVX models improves ease of use, particularly for inexperienced operators, ac-celerates faster to field or road speed, reduces operator fatigue, makes full power available at low ground speeds for special applications or implements..

Transmission provides stepless travel from 0-43km/h, and 0-17km/h in reverse. It is possi-ble to set three target speeds from 0-43km/h,

and these are adjustable via the thumb-wheel and buttons on the Multicontroller joystick, part of the tractors’ Multicontroller armrest.

Acceleration is boosted by a kick-down feature, while 40km/h is achieved at just 1,440rpm, to further enhance fuel economy.

The transmission incorporates four mechan-ical ranges with automated range-changing, changed without power interruption by four multi-plate wet clutch packs on the four plan-etary gear sets. Active Hold Control, where the hydrostatic motor eliminates the input speed from the engine, means the tractor, when brought to a halt on a hill, can remain static without the operator applying foot or hand brake.

The Machine of the Year award is judged by journalists from across a number of interna-tional agricultural publications, who make their overall selection from 14 categories ranging tractors and other self-propelled equipment to implements.

The winners of each category are then revealed in mid-November, before the overall MOTY winner selected is revealed at SIMA.

“We are delighted to win the 2019 Machine of the Year award with the Versum CVXDrive with Stage V engine and Quadtrac CVXDrive,” said Thierry Panadero, Vice-President Case IH Eu-rope.

“It’s a fitting recognition of the focus Case IH places on providing its customers with products to help their businesses become more sustain-able, more productive and more profitable.”

Case IH, Quadtrac scoop machine awards


INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Agritech Expo anticipates luring more visitors to its annual agriculture jam-boree slated for April.

Jervis Zimba, President of the Zambia National Farmers’ Union (ZNFU), the owners of the event said this year’s event at GART is ex-pected to bring more than 20 000 visitors, over 220 local and international exhibitors, including international pavilions from Germany, Italy, UK and Zimbabwe.

In addition 3500 VIP and large scale farmers are expected to grace the event.

“Agritech Expo Zambia 2019 promises more agro technology and innovation advancements as the event continues to unveil the future for

our agriculture,” said Zimba.

Last year, the event featured several interna-tional pavilions again and a VIP attendance that included three cabinet ministers and the Zam-bian President Edgar Lungu who visited the event for the fourth year in a row.

Zimba said the 6th event is expected to lever-age on the huge success of last year’s Agritech Expo, despite numerous challenges experi-enced which include the economic crunch and cholera and FMD outbreaks.

Agritech Expo Zambia will feature industry fea-tured zones - livestock zone, live crop trials, machinery and equipment demos, construction park, 4x4 test track, energy park, internation-

al pavilions, indoor expo tent, irrigation zone, centre pivot display, agriteach training work-shops, vip large scale farmers agenda, sme zone, business zone, aquaculture showcase and nethouse showcase

New features for 2019 include livestock demos and workshops, live planting demos, more ag-riteach workshop zones and industry support.

Agritech Expo Zambia is owned by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) and is organ-ised by Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and the African office of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK.

Agritech Expo celebrates 6th birthday


INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Farmers can no longer rely on the expect-ed increase in demand for food globally to ensure future profitability, international agribusiness expert said.

Professor Marcos Fava Neves, from the Univer-sity of São Paulo and international agribusiness expert advised farmers to sought avenues that will yield higher margins.

Speaking at the recent DeKalb Create Confer-ence in Bothaville, Free State in South Africa, Professor Neves said producer prices would re-main flat for some time, and to stay in business farmers would have to increase profitability margins.

According to the world agricultural outlook for 2018 to 2027, recently published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, global agricultural markets had undergone significant changes since global food prices spiked in 2007.

While strong growth in demand for food was still expected, particularly for animal protein products, the rate of growth had slowed com-pared with the previous decade.

Neves said changes in the demand for food would shape global agricultural markets “in ways we have not seen before”.

As a result, the prices of agricultural commod-ities were expected to experience little or no growth during this period.

Neves noted that the weak price outlook would force farmers to “think differently” to increase their profit margins in order to maintain or in-crease current levels of profitability.

The use of digital and data technologies could assist farmers to increase efficiency, he said.

Neves also suggested that farmers should embrace innovation and differentiation that was, for example, offered by advances in crop breeding.

Wake up call for farmers in SA


Lawson Chad

Late rains, erratic rains, recurrent droughts, unstable markets, outbreak of animal diseases, and outdated agricultural tech-nologies pose challenges to farmers

throughout Namibia on annual basis. Uncer-tainty is a permanent companion to Namibian farmers.

This year the rains are late. Agronomic farmers wake up every morning looking at horizons for the signs of rain. Every morning so far, they are disappointed.

Agronomic farmers both in commercial and communal agriculture have limited time to plant and for their crops to grow and mature. They are worried and anxious about the pros-pect of rains and the outcome of this produc-tion season. In particular, small holding com-munal farmers are more vulnerable.

Their subsistence farming is a source of their social protection. However, their options are limited. In my village in Oshikoto Region, rains are understood as a blessing in many ways.

Traditional spinach which is free for all, improve the nutrition status of households. The plum trees bloom and provide fruits to children. The marula fruits are a source of traditional wine and juice.

By the month of March green beans are ready for consumption. Cattle return from cattle posts to provide milk. In absence of rain, villagers miss out on these seasonal foods.

Communal cattle farmers face difficulties to keep their animals alive. In communal areas there is limited common grazing ground. As the dry season prolongs animals become weak. Available commercial fodder is unaffordable.

Animal losses become inevitable. In a tradition-al setting cattle make a man. When cattle start to perish cattle owners become depressed. Under such circumstances traditional farming becomes a struggle.

In Central and Southern Namibia communal farmers are known for weaners and small stock farming. They too have their, special challenges.

Drought decimates their animals. Farming areas

are overcrowded. They have no control over the prices of their animals.

Currently, the market has been affected by foot and mouth decease in South Africa. Since South Africa cannot export their meats there is an over- supply of the meat products. Small- stock farmers, in particular, have been nega-tively affected.

It was delightful to learn that communal and emerging farmers in Omaheke Region have been holding consultations exchanging ideas among themselves as how to cope with the current farming challenges.

Established commercial farmers have devel-oped coping mechanisms through their farm-ing organisations, such the Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO).

Piet Gous of LPO was reported recently saying that LPO has completed a survey on the cur-rent production conditions. He described the situation as a national crisis.

He promised that members of LPO will discuss the situation and bring the matter to the atten-tion of Government.

Government usually waits for the situation to play itself out and conduct impact assessment after the fact. This is not the best way to deal with a crisis.

Government is supposed to bring together all the farmers in their own settings and be seen to be interested in the plight of the farmers.

For example, farmers could be subsidised to market some of their animals if the rains con-tinued to be delayed. Local meat processors should be encouraged to add value to their products for export to other neighbouring countries.

This will go a long way to bring about value addition in the meat industry.

What is important is that when a country is in a crisis like the one in the Agricultural Sector all interested parties should come together to deal with such a crisis.

Though the contribution of agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our country

has been fluctuating in recent years, the Agri-cultural Sector provides livelihoods to 70 per-cent of our population.

Producers, workers, transporters, buyers and sellers of agricultural produce all benefit. Household food security and resilience is en-hanced through agriculture.

Just imagine, as an example, that mahangu or weaners production collapses in our communal communities. People will be forced to migrate to urban areas and put more pressure on urban resources such as sanitation facilities, housing, water, schools, health facilities etc.

Agriculture in its different practices remains a backbone of our nation.

Farming cannot just be left to the farmers alone. Support and encouragement are needed from our Government.

Support and encouragement can come in dif-ferent forms. These may include creation of markets for communal producers, diversifica-tion of market of commercial producers, finan-cial help from the Development Bank of Namib-ia and Agricultural Bank to Aggro-processors to enable them to diversify their production lines and distribution channels, technical assistance to communal farmers to improve their produc-tion systems, training and skilling of workers.

Though farming in Namibia is a permanent struggle, it is a struggle worth waging. It is a struggle for survival. Despite all the challenges farmers face, farming is a renewable resource.

Research and developing drought resistant seed varieties, developing appropriate tech-nologies for communal farmers, designing ag-gro-processing technologies, and encouraging agronomic communal farmers to adopt new technologies shall go a long way to improve agricultural production in the country.

All these things are dowable provided there is the political will, courage and determination. We farmers must take the lead like the emerg-ing farmers in Omaheke and LPO are doing.

Let us all pray in our different belief system for good rains in 2019. Wishing all farmers a pro-ductive year!

Farming in Namibia is a permanent struggle

OPINION & ANALYSIS

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Destock, cull to mitigate pending drought

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