Namibia Agriculture Union Weekly News: 17 August 2012

Namibia Agriculture Union: http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THE HAPPIEST OF PEOPLE DON’T NECESSARILY HAVE THE BEST OF EVERYTHING; THEY JUST MAKE THE MOST OF EVERYTHING THAT COMES ALONG THEIR WAY

In today’s newsletter –

·         Charcoal production has great potential

·         National Land Reform Forum

·         Pig producers will hold member meeting and information day

·         16^th Namibia Rangeland Forum

·         FA and other news

Charcoal production has great potential

The commercial area in Namibia can annually produce up to 7,4 million ton charcoal in comparison with the current 120 000 ton. This conclusion was made by Dr Trede of DECOSA who was the keynote speaker at the recent member meeting of the Charcoal Producers Association in Otjiwarongo. Dr Trede however cautioned that certain changes inter alia will have to be made with the issuing of harvest- and transport permits if they want to reach this potential. It will also have to be urgently looked into more friendly labour legislation which enables charcoal producers to employ more employees.  

According to Mr Graeme Gartner there is a big potential for European markets even though this is mostly dependant on the European weather pattern. It has to be adhered to that the harvest and producing of charcoal fall within the international guidelines of environment conservation as well acceptable labour practices. To reach this aim, the charcoal producers will have to produce even more according to FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) standards.

Mr Tobias Konzmann of “Energy for the Future” gave an interesting lecture about the N$200 million investment which was made to harvest and process intruder bush as energy source for the Ohorongo cement factory between Otjiwarongo and Otavi. The harvesting is done on neighbouring farms, according to specific systems and it is expected that the various farmers must do aftercare. 

Mr FransHolzkampf who was chairman of the Charcoal Producers Association for the past 3 years is succeeded by Mr Willem Groenewald, who is also the chairman of the Forestry Council.

National Land Reform Forum

The National Land Reform Forum which has been officially established about a month ago by the Minister of Lands, Mr Alpheus !Naruseb, came one step nearer to reality during a workshop which was held in Windhoek on August 9 & 10. Delegates from approx 12 organisations attended the workshop which mainly concentrated on the finalisation of the Terms of Reference of the Forum as well as to identify points for the Agenda of the Forum.

The Forum is a composition of various government-, parastatal- and private organisations who are involved in land reform in Namibia. Mr Tommy Beyer of the Polytechnic of Namibia was elected as chairperson with AdvSigriedTjiorokisa of the Bankers Association of Namibia as vice chairperson. The NAU is represented on the Forum by the president, Mr Ryno van der Merwe with the Executive Manager, Mr Sakkie Coetzee as secundi.

The NAU put the possible change of the current mechanism of offering land onto the Agenda. According to the NAU land owners will be more willing to offer their land if it is offered in the open market and that Government exercises its pre-emptive right following the price which is paid in the open market. According to the NAU this change in the mechanism will also stabilise land prices on more realistic levels. Other matters which were proposed as Agenda items, include the productive use of land, the national vision and targets for land reform and the relationship between land reform and sustainable agricultural production.

Pig producers will hold member meeting and information day

Pig producers are requested to diarise the following date when feedback about the latest developments in the pork industry are given: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the NAU board room, Windhoek. A detailed program on which the keynote speaker will be announced.will follow soon.

Position of Research filled at the NAU

The position of Manager: Research and Development which became vacant with the resignation of Ms Elaine Smith in September 2011, is again filled. Mr Wally Roux, a well known in economic circles started service at the NAU on August 16, 2012.

Mr Roux has an Agric Econ degree from Stellenbosch as well as a Masters Degree from London. Mr Roux has extensive knowledge in research and he is also seen as a specialist for international trade. Mr Roux will handle many of the projects, which have been contracted out in the past few months, himself. The NAU trusts that Mr Roux will add value to the personnel corps of the NAU and that he will be happy in the agricultural family.

16^th Namibia Rangeland Forum

Agra Professional Services is organising the 16^th Namibia Rangeland Forum from 11-13 September 2012 at the Arebbusch Lodge in Windhoek.  The theme of this year’s forum is: Bush Encroachment – an ASSET or LIABILITY”?  Presentations and discussions will be focusing on the following three topics: 1) Physiological, Socio Economic and Ecological Aspects of Bush and Bush Control; 2) Bush Control and Utilisation Methodologies and Practices; and 3) Sustainable Bush and Rangeland Management.  The third day of NRF16 will be a field visit to the farm Düsternbrook outside Windhoek to look at the effect of controlled fire on bush encroachment and rangeland rehabilitation. Speakers are the Forum is inter alia Honourable Minister John Mutorwa of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry, Mr Ryno van der Merwe, president of the NAU, Dr Axel Rothauge, Mr Dave Joubert, Mr Nico de Klerk, Mr Bertus Kruger and more.

A registration fee of N$300 per person applies and provides for attendance of the Forum for 3 full days and includes two lunches, two dinners, all tea, coffee and refreshments during the day as well as a visit to Farm Düsternbrook with tea/coffee/refreshments and a lunch on the third day.  This registration fee also provides for an information file with the programme and abstracts of all papers to be presented.  Professionally done proceedings of the Forum will also be made available to you as part of the registration fee.  Note that accommodation in Windhoek during the Forum is your own responsibility!!!

All farmers and people in the agricultural industry are invited to attend the Forum.  The Forum can host a maximum of 150 participants.  Since this event is extremely popular, you are urged to book your attendance with MarietaGrobler at +264 81 124 8701, Fax: +264 61 290 9354 or e-mail marietag@agra.com.na well in advance.  A detailed programme is also available from Marieta upon request.

Global Leadership Summit

A Global Leadership Summit will be held in Windhoek from 19 – 20 October at the Dutch Reformed Church Windhoek West. The theme is “Lead where you are” and speakers are inter alia Mr Bill Hybels from the Willow Creek Community Church, Ms Condoleezza Rice, former US Secretary of State, Mr Jim Collins, National Business Thinker and Author, MS Sheryl Wudunn, Best-selling author, Mr Mario Vega, Senior Pastor from El Salvador, Mr Geoffrey Canada, President & CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone, Ms Pranitha Timothy, Director of Aftercare, International Justice Mission, India and many more. Early bird registration (before August 30) is N$300 and the regular price as from September 1 is N$350 and scholars are N$280. For any further enquiries or registration please phone Tel 061 226834, admin@ngwes.com and also visit the website www.willowcreeksa.co.za.

Windhoek Show livestock entries

A record amount of large and small stock entries were received for the 2012 Windhoek Show. It is requested that breeders should sent their cancellations timeously to the show office. This will ease the planning. Please contact H Kruger at wsslivestock@africaonline.com.na.

FA and other news

Gobabis RAU is holding a farmers day on August 20 at 09:00 at Xain Quas (about 8km outside Gobabis on the Witvlei raod). The theme is „The future of the Namibian Farmer“. Guest speakers are Mr Ryno van der Merwe, president of the NAU, Mr Frikkie Engels and a representiative from the Meat Board. All farmers, members and non members of the NAU as well as emerging farmers are invited to attend this day. For further details contact Mr Willem Boshoff, Tel 081 2411740, gslu@mweb.com.na.

Otavi FA is holding a member meeting on August 21 at 09:00 at the Otavi FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Hellmut Förtsch of the Agricultural Employers Association. Please register with and address any enquires to Christine Stoman, Tel 067 304971, 081 2446034, stoman@mweb.com.na.

Kaiserstreet FA is holding a farmers‘ day and meeting on August 21. At 15:00 the new poultry farm is visited, at 18:00 Dr Joggie Briedenhann will talk about the puchase of bulls and at 19:00 the member meeting will start. Dr Briedenhann’s talk and the member meeting are held at the Social Club at the Agra Head Office, Bessemer Str, Southern Industrial area, Windhoek. Registration is N$50 per person and further details and registration can be addressed to Gerda van der Westhuizen, Tel 061 253016, kaiserstraatfarmersassociation@gmail.com.

Karasberge FA is holding a meeting on August 23 on 14:00 at the FA hall. Further details from Christine, Tel 081 7759424, elias@iway.na.

Bethanie FA is holding a meeting on August 23 at 17:00 at the Bethanie Guesthouse. Further details from Ina de Klerk, Tel 063 683521, ina.deklerk@gmail.com.

The Nguni Breeders Association is holding a junior inspector course on August 23 & 24 at the Sandveld Research Farm. Costs are N$500 per person which includes accommodation, meals and the course material. For further details contact Gudrun Middendorff, Tel 061 222140, info@nguni-namibia.org.

The Sandveld Research Farm offers a veld fire prevention and management course on August 29 at 08:00 at the Sandveld Research Farm. This course is for all farmers and their farm managers. Permitting the weather, a practical veld fire extinguish course will be held at 14:00. The costs are N$250 per person which includes all meals. Overnight accommodation is available but people have to bring their own bedding. Please also take along proper clothing and firefighting equipment. Please register at the Sandveld Research Farm, Tel 062 568014 (office hours), 062 568093 (after hours), sandres@iway.na or halbichr@iway.na.

The Windhoek Agricultural Extension office will hold a lecture about everything of FANMeat and the NAMLITS system. This lecture will be held on August 23 at 17:45 at the Windhoek Extension office, c/o Luderitz& Fidel Castro Str, Windhoek. The lecture will be offered by persons from the Meat Board and NAMLITS system. For further details and to register, please contact Nadi at Tel 061 2044112 or Norbert at 081 1700113, neumannn@mawf.gov.na.

Osire/Waterberg FA is holding its „Inter Farmers Association Sports Day – 2012 FarmerOlympics“ on September 1 at 07:00 at the Osire Waterberg farmers hall at Farm Osire Noord. Individual sports which are offered are airgun shooting, bokdrolverspoeg and soccer wall. Entertainment for the children and general entertainment such as a mini show, tasty food and dance is offered. Each team has to consist of 8 members of which at least 2 must be women. Entrance fee per team is N$100 and social teams are welcome to take part. Entrance fee is N$80 for adults, N$40 for children up to 13 years and children under the age of 6 are free of charge. The entrance fee includes dinner and dance. For further details contact  Piet van Vuuren, Tel 081 2562666, pietvanvuuren@mtcmobile.com.na or Dagmar Wilckens, Tel 067 306201, 081 2807829, wilckens@iway.na.

The annual Harvest Festival will be held on  September 1 at 14:00 at Farm Ghaub of André and MarilizeCompion. Guest speaker is Mr Ryno van der Merwe of the NAU and the day will be concluded with a dance with “Fredbuzz”. Entry fees are N$80 for adults and N$30 for primary school children. For further details contact MarilizeOosthuizen, Tel 067 240362, omarilize@gmail.com.

The annual Stampriet Show will be held from September 5 – 7, 2012. There will be Dorpers, Damaras, van Rooy’s, Swartkop Persies, Goats and Kalahari Reds. The following auctions will also be held: weaner, cattle, bulls, Dorper Topram and Inter-breed ram. To register and for more details contact Izak Meyer at 063-260230 / 081 212 1177 / ijmeyer@iway.na. For bookings of stands please contact Dina Kotze at 063-260169 / 081 1275524 / tobie@mweb.com.na.

The Limousin Breeders Association is hosting a judging course on September 6 & 7 at Farm Ombuerendende of Sigi and Heide Baas. The course is offered by Messrs Willie Grobler and Barend Dorfling and costs N$500 per person. Enquiries can be addressed to Ellie Lottering, Tel 081 2924917, franseli@iway.na.

Hoërand FA is holding a member meeting on September 12 at 09:00 in the FA hall at Farm Stubbenkamer, Maltahöhe district. The theme is “Small stock farming” and speakers are Mr Pieter Hugo from Agra Professional Services and Danie de Lange from Feedmaster. The day will be concluded with a bring and braai and everybody is welcome. For further details contact MarykaTruter, Tel 081 2624146, hardegat@iway.na.orBartie Burger, Tel 081 3792626, antoiburger@gmail.com.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry will host a Water Investment Conference from September 12 – 14, 2012 at the Safari Conference Centre, Windhoek. The aim is to bring together all role players (water users, providers, NGO’s, water source manager, development partners, etc) to discuss matters such as investments in the water sector, exchange information, promote local production of plants, etc. Persons who would like to exhibit products can contact MsNaumkoloMwangala or Ms Florence Kamona at Tel 061 2087200/1. General enquiries can be addressed to waterconference2012@mawf.gov.na or the website can be visited at www.nwic.com.na.

Summerdown FA is hosting a loose goods fund raising auction on September 15. Farmers who would like to enter their goods, must please contact Henriette le Grange at Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.

A Dexter course will be held by Mr Willie Grobler on October 6 at 08:00 at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek Showgrounds. For further details contact Carina Jansen van Vuuren, Tel 067 312918, orpheus@mweb.com.na.