WEEKLY NEWS – 14 October 2011
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: HE WHO HAS HAPPINESS IN HIS HEART, HIS LIFE IS A FEAST
In today’s newsletter –
· NAU reflects on employment creation
· Economy must grow 7 – 9% over the next 15 years
· Cost-advantage analysis required for traceability and natural production
· Concern about animal health status
· FA and other news
NAU reflects on employment creation
The 65th Congress of the Namibia Agricultural Union which was held this week under the theme „Economic Growth and employment creation“ reflected on how the agricultural sector could contribute towards the national problem of employment creation in the country. The Congress point of discussion was introduced by the Executive Manager of the NAU, MrSakkie Coetzee with background information about the position of agriculture in the economy. The Director General of the National Planning Commission, Mr Tom Alweendo, who attended this introduction expanded further on the theme during his speech as keynote speaker the evening whilst Prof Johan Willemse of the University of the Freestate was the guest speaker the next day.
Against the background of the introduction and the speeches, Congress held a lively debate where after the following decision was taken by Congress:
Congress requests the Executive Council to negotiate with Government to –
1. to establish an enabling environment for the agricultural sector to grow and prosper and through that encourage job creation
- support all initiatives in the establishment of goal focused small enterprises and actions in support of employment opportunities in the agricultural sector
The NAU plans to draft a working document against the background of the information given by the speakers and Congress and to discuss this with Government by means of a working committee.
Economy must grow 7 – 9% over the next 15 years
The Director General of the National Planning Commission, Mr Tom Alweendo said during the official opening of the 65th Congress of the NAU this week that the economy must grow between 7 and 9% over the next 15 years in order to reach the aims of Vision 2030. According to him this might be possible, but will require certain fundamental challenges.
According to MrAlweendo it will take a purposeful decision by all role players in the economy and a joint attempt to reach this aim. We again have to reflect whether Namibia has to continue to specialize in this which Namibia sees as natural and whether we will have to decide to get internationally competing in certain specific aspects. One of the areas in which Namibia must improve is the competitiveness on world markets.
According to him agriculture has been identified as one of the sectors which can contribute towards increased production and economic growth. Real attempts must be done to address for example the de-bushing problem in order to increase production and also to bring animals north of the veterinary cordon fence into the mainstream of the economy. Public investing in the agricultural sector and the transformation thereof to an export industry is necessary. More attention must also be given to research and development and the use of latest technology to increase production.
MrAlweendo is confident that Namibia has a realistic chance to become a dynamic economy which can create employment opportunities and compete internationally.
The Livestock Producers Organisation (LPO) was requested this week to investigate a cost advantage analysis against the background of the market requirements and the realities and potential income of the livestock industry.
Currently the European Union as one of the primary markets of the livestock industry requires large inputs from the producer’s side. The inputs include inter alia the non-use of growing stimulants and hormones, a complete traceability system and other requirements which also require costs from the producers. The question is whether these costs comply with these markets, still hold an advantage for the Namibian meat industry in comparison with the requirements of other markets.
A further request from the Congress was to determine the most optimal production system in Namibia in comparison with the potential markets as well as the most probable future scenario taking the sustainability of such a system into consideration.
Concern about animal health status
The presence of buffalo’s which carried the dreaded foot-and-mouth disease virus, forced the LPO Congress to request that the Directorate of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry do everything in their power to handle the animal health status of Namibia in support of keeping the international markets of the red meat industry. Congress especially requested that the veterinary cordon fence as well as the Namibia Botswana international and other veterinary fences must be maintained.
NAU honours achievers
During the past NAU Congress various achievers were again honoured. For the first time this year the Feedmaster Community Project of the Year award was presented. This award was given to MrHellmut von Leipzig, one of the initiators of the Johanniter Heim Khoaeb, Otavi.
The Mutual & Federal Young Farmer of the Year 2011 was awarded to Timo and Inéz Miller of the Helmeringhausen FA and the runner up is Willem and NicoleneGroenewald of Noordgrens FA.
The Namco 2011 Agricultural Woman of the Year was awarded to Mrs Louisa Campbell of the Helmeringhausen FA.
The Agra Media Personality of the Year was awarded to Mr Dirk Heinrich of the AllgemeineZeitung.
The Namco most active Regional Agricultural Union went to the Karasburg RAU and the Namco most active Farmers Association to Ariamsvlei FA.
The president of the NAU, MrRyno van der Merwe, the Executive Council and the management of the NAU would like to congratulate all achievers in the different fields.
Kalla&SigiHeimstädt say thank you
We herewith would like to express our gratitude to everybody who assisted us with the control of the veld fire on Arcadia and Travena. We are grateful to be part of such a wonderful community. Through your fast help and unselfish inputs we were able to minimize the damages substantially. Thank you very very much.
Nauchas FA says thank you
The Nauchas Farmers Association would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who put in everything to extinguish the veld fire where at times there was danger for lives, fire fighters lost their hope but still carried on to fight the fire. Thank you for each one:
We would like to especially thank the following:
Leon Smit and his team (road builders who gravel the C14 from Solitaire) who made their water Lorrie available so that we could use water when needed. They also scraped the fire belts, if it would not have been for them there would have been bigger problems. Thank you Leon.
Soussousvlei Lodge, Bullsport, Gamsberg farmers as well as the Mariental and Maltahöhe Police who travelled more than 100km to help us. Thank you very much.
All the women who saw to it that everybody had some food and water thank you!
Last, but most important, thank you to our Heavenly Father who protected everybody, nobody was injured during the fire fighting and I promise the times of miracles are not over.
FA and other news
Kalkfeld FA is holding a meeting on November 2 at 08:30 at farm Hamburg of Fam P Beckers. For further details contact Mrs Sylvia Friedensdorf, Tel 067 290144, kfriedensdorf@iway.na. The year end function of Kalkfeld FA will be held on December 3.
Witvlei FA is holding a meeting on October 19 at 15:00 at the farmer house at Witvlei. Guest speaker is MrMerweFourie who will talk about FANMeateartags and scanners. For further details contact Monica Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na.
The 2012 Meatco Inter Farmers Association braai competition will be held on March 31, 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show Grounds. The theme is “//karas” (which means Kokerboom). Exhibitors can book their exhibition space now already. Entries for the braai teams close on February 15, 2011 and further details can be obtained from Willem Steenkamp, Tel 063 280655, 081 3194062, Toulon@iway.na. or Brenda Kotze, Tel 063 281208, 081 2277735, kalahari@iway.na.
Steinhausen FA is holding a member meeting on October 19, 2011 at 15:00 at Farm Steinhausen in the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Oliver Horsthemke of FNB who will give an economic overview with regard to farming. For further details contact MaykeRumpf, Tel 062 561422, combumbi@iway.na
The Ombotozu Conservancy is holding a game day on November 12 at 09:00 at Farm Ovita of Mr Claus Nebe. Speakers are Dr Axel Rothauge, DrCornelis van der Waal, Norton Izaks and Louis Potgieter. At 15:00 a field visit will take place. For further details contact MrG Muller, Tel 062 518372, Johan Kotze, 062 518358 or Willem Tromp, 062 518343.
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