Namfarmers together with other different stakeholders in the agricultural sector hosted a farmers` info day at Okakarara, earlier in September.
Under the theme: “Supporting local farmers to grow a sustainable Agri-sector”, the farmers Info day was attended by representatives/stakeholders from; AgriBank, Feedmaster, AMTA,Meatco,Agri-Tech, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) and support from AGRA.
Apart from supporting, addressing and attending to the needs of farmers; the farmers’ info day brought farmers into direct contact with the different stakeholders for better engagement and to better solve some of the underlying challenges that are affecting farmers.
The info day was indeed a win-win to both farmers and the different stakeholders that were present. Farmers got a chance to share of the underlying issues affecting them and in return, stakeholders received ample feedback on how better they can assist and attend to the needs of the farmers.
The farmers’ info day also comprised of a panel or discussion of questions and answers. All stakeholders that were present received a chance to share of their products and services. Farmers also got a fair chance to discuss, and pose their variety of questions to these different stakeholders/service providers.
The mayor of Okakarara, Hon. Olga Tjurutue who was present thanked all the participants for their attendance and for making the Info day a reality. “I believe that this Info day has come at the right time for our people and we all have a role to play when it comes to strengthening food security and feeding our people”, says Olga.
The mayor also revealed that the Okakarara town council has provided a piece of land to the Okakarara community support group. The community support group is a food bank project meant to produce food for; people living with disability, people infected with HIV/AIDS, house headed girl mothers, vulnerable and marginalised people within Okakarara.
During the engagement and interaction, farmers revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic continues to negatively affect them as high death rate are recorded among prominent farmers.
Jackson U Kazetjikuria from the Okakarara Farmers Association (OKAFA) who was representing underlying issues affecting farmers highlighted that water scarcity, proposed removal of the red line, veld fire and skill shortage are among some of the pressing issues that are affecting farmers.
The farmers expressed satisfaction and were glad to have such engagement and interaction with stakeholders. Moreover, farmers encouraged to have more of such interventions as they believe that this can unlock and further help to address the challenges being experienced in the agri-sector.