The ailing communal ostrich-farming programme was given a lifeline recently when Agribank, Government and the Karas Abattoir and Tannery (KAPT), signed an agreement aimed at reviving the industry.

According to the agreement, Agribank would grant a loan of N$14 million, while the Government would act as a guarantor and KATP would buy the birds when they reached slaughter-age.

In a meeting held last week with the Agriculture Ministry, many communal ostrich farmers had second thoughts about taking the loan.

Most of those who want to pull out were concerned about the fact that they would receive a living allowance of N$500 for the first two months only, while they would be paid performance-related advances at the rate of N$3 per live bird each month.

Each farmer would get 50 day-old chickens per month for the period August 2004 to January 2005 and a price per chicken of N$195, according to the agreement.

About 50 communal farmers were initially targeted in the programme.

One farmer spoken to by Nampa after the meeting said in no uncertain terms that he would not be part of the programme anymore.

"This is pure suicide.

I do not know how we are going to survive, so I told my girlfriend that we have to pull out," he fumed.

Others expressed similar sentiments.

When the communal ostrich farmers wanted to know whether the N$14 million could not be used for another programme such as poultry or small livestock farming, officials of the Agriculture Ministry were adamant that the money was meant for ostrich farming only and could thus not be diverted.

The ostrich-farming sector has been going through hard times ever since the South African Rand appreciated strongly against the US dollar some two years ago.

Both the communal and commercial sectors are heavily affected in this export-dependent industry.

-Nampa

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