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| Namibia Agriculture Union: NAU |
Disclaimer: Although everything has been done to
ensure the accuracy of information, the NAU takes no responsibility for actions
or losses that might occur due to the usage of this information.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: THE BEST PLACE
TO FIND A HELPING HAND IS AT THE END OF YOUR OWN ARM – Swedish proverb
In today’s newsletter:
·
Agriculture in Africa has to reform urgently
·
Kalahari
trembles under Young Farmer farmers’ day
·
FA
and other news
Agriculture in Africa has to reform urgently
Agriculture in Africa must reform urgently to
develop its potential to not only secure food security in Africa but also
provide in the growing needs of food globally. This was the key message of the
Policy Conference of SACAU in Dar-Es-Salaam on May 13 & 14, 2013.
The SACAU Annual General Meeting which was held
in Dar-Es-Salaam on May 15 was preceded by a Policy Conference which was mainly
about the agricultural potential in Africa and the financing of the
agricultural sector. SACAU represents 17 agricultural unions from 12 countries
in Southern Africa and this year the AGM and Policy Conference was attended by
Mr Hellmut Förtsch, the vice chairperson of the NAU Executive Council and
Sakkie Coetzee, the Executive Manager.
The President of Tanzania, Dr Kikwete, the
Minister of Agriculture of Tanzania, Mr Chiza as well as the Minister of
Agriculture of Nigeria, Dr Adesina were inter alia guest speakers at the Policy
Conference. The key message from all was that Africa has the potential and
resources in terms of available land and water to provide food globally.
However, a prerequisite to develop this potential is that agriculture in Africa
must be drastically reformed and that available technology and a commercial
approach must be followed. The Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria is already
busy taking drastic steps in his country by exfoliating the involvement of
Government in agricutlure to only policy aspects whilst businesses in the
private sector have shot up like mushrooms.
The President of Tanzania, Dr Kikwete as well as
the Minister of Agriculture of Tanzania also emphasized the importance of
commercialising agriculture in Africa. The involvement of the private sector
has been set as a prerequisite and the creation of Public Private Partnerships
as a vehicle to develop the potential was also emphasized. In Tanzania alone is
29 million ha arable land available of which nearly 3 million ha is high
potential irrigation land which currently is undeveloped. The involvement of
women in agriculture in Africa plays an important role and strategies will have
to be taken into consideration especially with regard to financing models.
The Policy Conference looked at various forms of
financing in the agricultural sector in order to develop this potential in
Africa and SACAU currently is busy with studies to develop certain models for
financing. The biggest single problem still in Africa is the lack of tenure and
thus security for taking loans at Banks.
Dr Theo de Jager, the vice president of AgriSA
was voted as new president of SACAU and will act in this position for the next
3 years.
Kalahari
trembles under Young Farmer farmers’ day
Farming
in the Kalahari was the focus this year of the NAU / Mutual & Federal Young
Farmer farmers’ day which was held at Farm Nabome, south of Aranos of Hannes
and Jomarie Visagie on May 15 & 16. More than 300 interested people
attended this farmers day which was held over 2 days and which is an annual
institution for the past 10 years and again the presentations of experts were
of outstanding quality. The president of the NAU, Mr Derek Wright was inter
alia one of the guest speakers.
Mr
Ernst Janovsky, a well known agricultural economist from South Africa again
emphasized the importance of agriculture in Africa. According to him
agriculture could be the vehicle for economic growth in Africa and it is
necessary that this potential must be developed. Africa is the biggest
continent with the biggest potential with regard to agricultural resources and
water (see also SACAU report above). According to him the agricultural sector
in Namibia can grow 10% annually subject to adaption of certain policy aspects.
The
well known Dr Jasper Coetzee, a nutrionist from South Africa, was very
practical with his submission regarding animal nutrition, lick supplements and
other nutrition aspects and gave practical tips to farmers how to determine
deficiencies on a farm with regard to nutrition and grazing. Dr Coetzee who
already attended 19 such farmers’ days in South Africa, has mentioned that this
farmers day in the Kalahari was one of his highlights.
The
motivational speaker, well known Mr Hein Wagner, a blind person had the
audience at his feet with his wittisicm. His message was mainly to appreciate
what you have and can do and to handle trust and respect and to rather give
than to take. These are the basic things in life on which happiness is built.
To proof that blindness cannot serve as an excuse, Hannes arranged that Hein
shot a Springbuck under the capable leadership of Hoekus van Niekerk!
Farming
in the Kalahari and the challenges there are not for weaklings and Hannes and
Jomarie have shown the people how it is done in the Kalahari. He also paid
tribute to the elder farmers and the generations which tamed the Kalahari so
that young farmers can farm there successfully today.
The
arrangements of the farmers’ day were of high quality and guests who slept
there could even enjoy warm showers like an exclusive camping experience.
Hannes
and Jomarie would like to thank all interested parties who attended the 2 days
as well as the sponsors and everybody who helped to make this day successful
for their contributions.
FA
and other news
Kalkplato FA is
hosting a Potjiekos competition on May 18 at Farm Witbooisvlei, Mariental. The
first prize is N$10 000, the second N$5 000 and the third prize N$3 000. The
best stand wins N$2 500. The day is concluded with a dinner and dance to the
music of Leon Jacobs. Costs are N$120 which includes the meal. For further
information and entry forms contact Jurgens, Tel 081 1275403 or Morne, Tel 081
3769156, simon1@iway.na.
Okahandja FA is
holding a member meeting on May 22 at 14:00 at Farm Ozombusomassa of Willem and
Elmarie Tromp. Guest speakers are Mr Fouché Brand of Capricorn Investment and
Mr Sakkie van Zyl of the Okahandja Branch of Bank Windhoek. The day is
concluded with a Steak braai. For further details contact Gudrun Heger, Tel
062 503778, gudrun@otjiruse.com.
The
Groofontein Museum is hosting a
public lecture by Dr Roy Miller on
May 23 at 18:00 at the Grootfontein Museum. The theme is “Climate change: Multidisciplinary evidene shows that the sun and water
an not CO2, have been and will continue to be the main drivers of past, present
and future climates”. Refreshments and a light luncheon will be offered for
sale. For further details contact the Museum at Tel 067 242456, Mr Günther
Friederich, Tel 067 242011, Mr Ulli Prickett, Tel 067 242478 or Mrs Paula
Gressmann, Tel 067 240466.
A Brangus Promotion Day will
be held on May 25 at 08:30 at the Blaauwberg auction pens at Farm Namatubis.
Speakers are inter alia Dr Martin Ferreira from Virbac, Dr Paul Lubout and Mr
Gero Bajorat from DIS Engineering. During the ladies’ program Antoinette de
Chavonnes Vrugt will hold a food demonstration. The day is concluded with a
steak braai and dance. For further details contact Magdel Pretorius, Tel 067
313061, magdelp@iway.na or click on the following link:
Gamsberg
FA is hosting a farmers day on May 25 at
14:00 at Farm Portsmut. A game drive, cattle inspection, solar demonstration,
late night auction, dance in the barn, spit braai, bike riding for children,
N$10 cash bar and much more is offered. Entrance fee is a bottle of consumables
per couple. Bring warm clothing and camping chairs. For more information and registering
before May 20 contact Stienie, Tel 081 1288400, stienie@tgi.na.
Osire-Waterberg
FA is holding a meeting on May 28 at 14:00
at the Osire FA hall. Guest speakers are Mr Roelf Thompson who talks about lick
supplements during drought, Mr Harry Schneider-Waterberg who talks about
tourism and nature conservation and Mr Eugen Gehr who talks about meat
processing. The day is concluded with a bring and braai. For further details
contact Anka Visher, Tel 067 306208, hpvisher@iway.na.
Dorsland
FA is holding a general member meeting on
May 28 at 14:00 at Saambou. Guest speaker is Mr Rian Esterhuizen who talks
about financial planning in your life. For further details contact Ellie
Lottering, Tel 062 571527, franseli@iway.na.
Hartebeestloop
in ccoperation with Agra is hosting a farmers day on May 30 at 09:00 at Farm Hartebeestloop of Joggie
Briedenhann. Speakers are Prof Willie Esterhuyse, Dr Hannes Dreyer, Dr Kenneth
Botha, Barry Symons, Japie Bestebreurtjie, Kiep le Pen and Joggie Briedenhann.
For further details contact Joggie, Tel 081 2316169, Nico 081 1241168, Japie
081 2360880 or Kiep 081 1240648.
Blumfelde
FA is holding a wine auction on May 31 at
18:30 for 19:00 at the FA hall. Costs are N$100 per person and please register
before the time. For further enquiries and to register contact Magret Binneman,
Tel 081 4440334 or Larisa van Vuuren, Tel 081 2059313.
The Arab Horse Breeders Society of Namibia is holding an Arabian night
evening on June 1 at 16:00 at the Gymkhana Club, Windhoek. On the program is a
well known singer, fire artists, belly dancers and the day is concluded with a
Spitbraai. For further details contact Susan de Meyer, Tel 081 1289003, sdemeyer@mweb.com.na or Trina Oppermann, Tel
0027 835670936, trina@simplydesign.co.za or visit the websites www.arabianevents.co.za, www.namibarab.com. At 10:00 in the morning
an Arab horse auction is held at the Agra /
Bank Windhoek Ring, Windhoek showgrounds.
A Cattle Information day will be
held on June 5 at 09:00 at farm Neu Otjisauona of Diethelm and Katja Metzger.
Guest speakers are Prof. Coetzer, Mr Derek Wright, the president of the NAU, Dr Michael Bradfield and Mr
Peter Massmann. A discussion on the Beef marketing situation in Namibia will
conclude the theoretical part of the day. Cattle and some interesting things
will be viewed as from 15h00. The day will be concluded with a braai. For
further details and to register contact Diethelm or Katja Metzger, Tel 062
682115 or Hennie Kruger, Tel 081 2964280.
The Limousin Breeders Association is offering a two-day judging course
on 6 & & June at Farm Ombuerendende of Sigi and Heide Baas.
Registration fee is N$750 per person. Please register before May 24 with Ellie
Lottering, Tel 081 2924917, franseli@iway.na.
Grootfontein/Tsumeb/Otavi (GTO) RAU is hosting a fire
fighting day on June 15 at 07:30 at the Dornhügel Guest Farm, 40km on the
Rundu Berg Aukas road. Matters such as legal accountability, fire belts and
preventative fires and measures how to prevent fires will be discussed and at
13:00 a sightseeing of the burned parts on Dornhügel will be visited. All FA
chairpersons as well as farm managers are welcome to attend as fire guidelines
will be drafted during the meeting. Costs are N$80 per person and only persons who
registered can take part. Please register before May 20 with Willem Enslin, Tel
081 2305078.
The Afrikaner Bees breeders are offering a grading course on June 25
& 26. On June 25 they course will be held at Farm Kalidona of Bernd and
Nadine Gaerdes near Otjisondu and on June 26 at Farm Okambekere of Frans Nel in
the Summerdown vicinity. Costs are N$500 per person and please register before
June 18 with Florence, Tel 0608004708, flhamman@mweb.com.na or
Nadine, Tel 062 518099, kalidona@mailnam.net.
On June 28 & 29 a “visiting festival” (kuierfees) is held
at Grootfontein at the show grounds.
On Saturday an “Idols” competition, fashion show, clay pigeon shooting, school
rugby, helicopter flights, children entertainment, etc will be held. Saturday
evening “4Werke” (Ray Dilan, Nicholas Louw, Elizma Theron and Monique) will perform.
Stands are free of charge. For further details visit the website www.kuierfees.com.
The Braunvieh Cattle Breeders Association is offering a trainings- and
judging course from July 2 at 14:00 until July 4 at 12:00 at Farm Keizen, ±
20km south of Summerdown and ± 36km north of Steinhausen. The course is offered
by Barend Dorfling and Willie Grobler and limited accommodation is available.
The costs are ± N$750 per person and interested parties must register before
May 31 at Henriette le Grange, Tel 081 1249670, hh@iway.na.
A Simmentaler judging course will be held
from July 16 – 18 in the Gobabis vicinity. Interested parties can contact Mr H
Kruger, simnamibia@gmail.com.
Karibib FA is
holding a meeting on July 20 at 16:00 at Farm Habis Noord of Dr Herbert
Schneider. Guest speakers are Mr Gladis who will talk about farm safety and a
person from Radio Electronics who will talk about farm radios. For further
details contact Mrs Gladis, Tel 061 248480, doris.gladis@elvey.zo.ca.
Ongombe FA informed that the annual
Communal Show will be held from July 22 – 28 at the Windhoek Showgrounds. For
further details contact Albert Tjihero, Tel 081 2331618.
The
date of the 2013 Dare to Care Disaster
Fund golf day has been postponed to Friday, August 2, 2013 at the Windhoek
Country and Golf Club, Windhoek. The costs for the golf day per team of 4
persons is N$3 000 and after the prize giving a spit braai will be held. We
would like to request farmers to donate prizes for the golf day. For any
further details contact Erika, Tel 061 237838, evg@agrinamibia.com.na
|
Exchange
Rate NAD (11-17 May 2013)
|
||||||
|
May
|
EURO
|
USD
|
POUND
|
PULA
|
||
|
Saturday
|
11
|
11.845
|
9.122
|
14.016
|
1.113
|
|
|
Sunday
|
12
|
11.846
|
9.123
|
14.012
|
1.113
|
|
|
Monday
|
13
|
11.878
|
9.149
|
13.989
|
1.115
|
|
|
Tuesday
|
14
|
11.945
|
9.210
|
14.048
|
1.115
|
|
|
Wednesday
|
15
|
11.931
|
9.281
|
14.104
|
1.116
|
|
|
Thursday
|
16
|
11.998
|
9.302
|
14.232
|
1.116
|
|
|
Friday
|
17
|
12.122
|
9.426
|
14.362
|
1.130
|
|
|
Saturday
to Thursday: 16:00 UTC (Coordinated
Universal Time)
|
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|
Friday: 07:23 UTC
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