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THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THE
FUTURE BELONGS TO THOSE WHO GIVE THE NEXT GENERATION REASON FOR HOPE – Pierre
Teilhard de Chardin
In today’s newsletter –
· Development
Dialogue Forum
·
EPA: Where are we now?
·
Agra news
·
Pig producers will hold member meeting
and information day
·
FA and other news
Development Dialogue Forum
The Fourth Development Dialogue Forum of the
Polytechnic of Namibia took place on 22 August 2012 with the theme “TOWARDS A
FOOD SECURE NATION – within the context of National Development Plan (NDP)
4”. The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) Executive Manager, Sakkie
Coetzee, and the Manager: Research and Development, Wallie Roux, attended
the Forum.
The keynote address was delivered by the Honourable
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), Mr John Mutorwa.
Other speakers included Mr Joseph Iita, the Permanent Secretary of MAWF, Mr
OjijoOdhiambo from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr
Lungameni Lukas from the Agronomic Board, Mr Jürgen Hoffmann from the
Agricultural Trade Forum (ATF), and Dr KatjiuaMutjinde from the Polytechnic of
Namibia.
The Minister emphasized the importance of food
security and his Ministry’s mandate to achieve it within the context of NDP
4. In order to increase agricultural production and to achieve an average
real growth of 4%, priority focus will be given to the Green Scheme, the
increase of carrying capacity for livestock, the establishment of fresh produce
markets and the establishment of other agricultural infrastructure like silos
and research stations.
In this regard he mentioned that the total Green
Scheme production area is around 9 400 hectares and the target is to increase
this to 27 000 hectares. He also
mentioned that Namibia’s current grain production is 165 800 metric tonnes
produced on a total of 311 000 hectares, which leaves an annual shortfall of
125 000 metric tonnes. The Government
also aims to eventually store four months of emergency grain reserves, which amounts
to 60 000 metric tonnes.
The Permanent Secretary explained the various
support programmes already in place to achieve food security. Other topics covered were the food security
situation in Sub-Saharan Africa, the improvement of local agricultural
productivity, the role of cross-border trade and the effects of communal land
tenure and climate change on the achievement of food security.
EPA: Where
are we now?
The most important issue currently facing the
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations is the European Commission
(EC) proposal to amend Market Access Regulation (MAR) 1528/2007. According to the proposal, African Caribbean
and Pacific (ACP) countries currently enjoying Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF)
access to European markets will have to ratify the EPA by the end of 2013. Failure to ratify the agreement by the due
date will result in such countries being removed from the MAR 1528/2007
beneficiary list as from 01 January 2014, hence forfeiting their DFQF market
access.
On 21 June 2012 the International Trade Committee
(INTA) of the European Parliament (EP) voted in favour of a proposal to extend
the MAR 1528/2007 deadline from 01 January 2014 to 01 January 2016. However, the European legislative power
resides with the EP and the Council of Ministers (the Member States). On 12 September 2012 the EP will discuss the
INTA vote during its plenary session for endorsement. Then again, there is always the possibility
that the EP plenary would not endorse the INTA vote, given that so far no single
European Member State has spoken against the original EC proposal.
After the EP plenary vote on the proposal to extend
the deadline, the debate will move to the Council. Should the EP and the Council not agree on
the proposal, a compromise will be negotiated.
Hence, despite the INTA vote it remains far from clear what the final
outcome will be.
Agra
news
The Registrar of Stock Feed in Namibia informed
Agra on August 6, 2012 that the Directorate of Veterinary Services found that
SHEEP-AFROND and STOETVEEKORRELS (breeding stock pellets) from VEEKOS grow
stimulants and / or therapeutic substances contain.
The Registrar of Stock Feed instructed that both
these products may not be sold to producers anymore and be removed from the
market with immediate effect. These instructions are applicable on all stock
feed traders countrywide.
Furthermore the Registrar put a total embargo on
the import of all VEEKOS products from South Africa until their investigations
in this regard have been concluded. Thus no VEEKOS products are allowed to come
into the country until further notice.
The use of grow stimulants and / or therapeutic
substances in stock feed is prohibited under Act No 36 which controls the
import, manufacturing and distribution of stock feed products. The use of grow
stimulants and / or therapeutic substances is also prohibited in accordance
with the international trade agreements which were signed by Namibia. The
instructions from the Registrar are thus necessary to protect the local meat
industry.
It is for Agra of utmost importance to act at all
times in the interest of the country and more specifically in the interest of
the agricultural industry and to adhere to the instructions of the Registrar.
Agra acted on these instructions with immediate effect and all Agra branches
placed orders with other suppliers in order to provide the industry with similar
alternative products. At this stage there are no indications when Agra can
restore VEEKOS product stock levels.
Due to this unforeseen and sensitive matter Agra
thus would like to friendly but urgently request their valued customers to
contact their nearest Agra branch with regard to their feed- and lick supply in
order to adapt their farming management program.
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.
16th
Namibia Rangeland Forum
Agra
Professional Services is organising the 16th 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 Düstenbrook 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 Düstenbrook 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.
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.
Show dates for 2012:
Stampriet:
5 – 7 September
Keetmanshoop:
6 – 8 September
Grootfontein:
19 – 21 September
Otjiwarongo:
24 – 26 September
Gobabis:
24 – 26 September
Windhoek: 28 September – 6 October
FA and other news
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.
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 Spring Symposium
which is hosted by the Otjiwarongo FA will be held on September 4 & 5 at
the NG Church hall, Otjiwarongo. It will be in form of a course and the theme
is „Grazing for profit“. It will be offered by Mr Bruce Brown of RCSSA of South
Africa and the aim is to help farmers to manage and use their rangeland more
sustainably and economically. Mr Brown recommends that participants bring along
stationery, a calculator, records of grazing and herds, rainfall and prices of
various components. The costs are N$500 per person which includes meals. Please
register before August 29 with Callie Steenkamp, Tel 081 3326292,tilla@iway.na. For further details contact Thinus Pretorius, Tel 081
1282429 or Johan van Schalkwyk, Tel 081 252166.
A ground nut
information day will be held on September 5 in the Rundu vicinity and on
September 6 in Grootfontein an information day. The LNR cultivar tests from
last year will be discussed by Mrs Lourraine Salomon, an agronomist of South
Africa and she will also give information on how ground nuts must be treated in
order to get a maximum production. The 2013 prices will be announced and the
ground nut plant near Grootfontein which is planned in 2013 be discussed. For
further details contact Dawie Kok, Tel 067 232654, 081 2616173, bstroom@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.
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.
Westelike Khomas FA is holding a meeting on October 17 at 15:00 at the
Harmonie hall. For further details contact Amanda Greef, Tel 064 551565, luanda@iway.na.
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