Communal farmers called to register
The Namibia National Farmers' Union (NNFU) will kick-off the launch of their membership registration and the issuing of membership cards to members, for them to be able to participate in the agri-value chain, tomorrow.
This will also see the introduction of the NNFU Livestock Auction Calendars for the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) that would help those farmers to sell their livestock.
Apart from launch that will be held at selected places in Oshana, Omusati and Kunene, the registration of farmers will be done at all the regional council offices in constituencies with the support of traditional authorities and ministry of agriculture.
The union says this is to enable it to organise communal farmers into commodity-based institutions, and create a database of farmers based on commodities they produce, so that the union can negotiate with buyers.
According to the union's regional coordinator for the NCA and Kunene North, Chacks Ashikutuwa, the majority of farmers are only registered as livestock farmers without specifying what they are farming with.
He says the strategy is aimed at enabling farmers to pull production together and market as a group, and also to have a strong influence on policy makers and other service providers.
“The NNFU is embarking on the process of being seen at ground level in all 14 regions of the country registering farmers based on what they produce. This will involve the establishment farmers' associations, cooperatives, and other community-based organisations in all constituencies toward well-organised agriculture. In constituencies where these institutions already exist, we will support and empower them,” Ashikutuwa says.
Ashikutuwa said that one of the NNFU's mandates is to formalise the agricultural industry, including involving all stakeholders, to control, advise, direct and implement diverse agricultural activities in order to uplift the living standard of rural people.
“Our goal is to protect and advance the interests of communal and emerging farmers, to promote the development of a viable farming industry, in order to improve rural communities' standard of living and enhance the rural farming industry's contribution to the national economy, and grow internationally competitive, innovative and sustainable farm businesses,” he says.
He said that NNFU membership provides farmers with votes on all resolutions presented to the NNFU Congress, an opportunity to stand for the NNFU National Council and its board, a vote on the election of NNFU board members, the ability to communicate directly with NNFU on national issues of interest, access to information and policy papers on national issues, and the opportunity to nominate to participate in NNFU statutory boards where there is expertise and interest.
He said the first launch will be held at Oshakati in Oshana tomorrow at the youth ministry's offices. That will be followed by Musati at Outapi on Monday at the ministry of youth, Opuwo on 22 February, and Omakange on 23 February.
He said when registering, farmers would be expected to bring along their identity documents and information on their farming commodities.
ILENI NANDJATO
This will also see the introduction of the NNFU Livestock Auction Calendars for the Northern Communal Areas (NCA) that would help those farmers to sell their livestock.
Apart from launch that will be held at selected places in Oshana, Omusati and Kunene, the registration of farmers will be done at all the regional council offices in constituencies with the support of traditional authorities and ministry of agriculture.
The union says this is to enable it to organise communal farmers into commodity-based institutions, and create a database of farmers based on commodities they produce, so that the union can negotiate with buyers.
According to the union's regional coordinator for the NCA and Kunene North, Chacks Ashikutuwa, the majority of farmers are only registered as livestock farmers without specifying what they are farming with.
He says the strategy is aimed at enabling farmers to pull production together and market as a group, and also to have a strong influence on policy makers and other service providers.
“The NNFU is embarking on the process of being seen at ground level in all 14 regions of the country registering farmers based on what they produce. This will involve the establishment farmers' associations, cooperatives, and other community-based organisations in all constituencies toward well-organised agriculture. In constituencies where these institutions already exist, we will support and empower them,” Ashikutuwa says.
Ashikutuwa said that one of the NNFU's mandates is to formalise the agricultural industry, including involving all stakeholders, to control, advise, direct and implement diverse agricultural activities in order to uplift the living standard of rural people.
“Our goal is to protect and advance the interests of communal and emerging farmers, to promote the development of a viable farming industry, in order to improve rural communities' standard of living and enhance the rural farming industry's contribution to the national economy, and grow internationally competitive, innovative and sustainable farm businesses,” he says.
He said that NNFU membership provides farmers with votes on all resolutions presented to the NNFU Congress, an opportunity to stand for the NNFU National Council and its board, a vote on the election of NNFU board members, the ability to communicate directly with NNFU on national issues of interest, access to information and policy papers on national issues, and the opportunity to nominate to participate in NNFU statutory boards where there is expertise and interest.
He said the first launch will be held at Oshakati in Oshana tomorrow at the youth ministry's offices. That will be followed by Musati at Outapi on Monday at the ministry of youth, Opuwo on 22 February, and Omakange on 23 February.
He said when registering, farmers would be expected to bring along their identity documents and information on their farming commodities.
ILENI NANDJATO
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