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08:32Last update on: 13 Aug 2013
The Namibian
Tue 13 Aug 2013
SMS Of The Day * THIS nation is in dire need of a massive conference on housing. When we experienced a crisis in the education sector a crisis-control brain-storming conference was organised which resulted in the best deal ever for the Namibian child, nam Food For Thought * BOURGEOISIE has become a daily occupation if not the order of the day of the upper-echelons, President Hifikepunye Pohamba we urge you to revisit this unpatriotic geocentricism among your staff and the well-connected, for everybody to r Bouquets And Brickbats * COMMISSIONER of Prisons, can you please explain the strategies you use to appoint officers to certain positions? It is my observation that you are being fed with wrong information then you just promote individuals without making p SMS Of The Day * I THINK Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda lost his belt because of this promoter and trainer. How can a world champion still be training at the Katutura Youth Complex where there is not enough equipment. I think they must follow the example of Ha Food For Thought * NAMIBIA Dairies are unable to match low prices of imported milk and this ultimately means the consumer will have to pay more for local milk. Look at the prices of the local chicken. All these profits are going in the pockets of a few in Bouquets And Brickbats * I AM pleased to hear that Cabinet has responded positively to the proposal of Namibia Dairies to support the industry. The restrictions which support the industry by reducing competition to ensure the survival of the industry is a SMS Of The Day * CEO’s golden handshakes. Somewhere on our statute books there must be a provision that if a board of directors suspends/dismisses a CEO without due regard to legal provision (substantive/procedural law) such board must carry the costs for Food For Thought * JACKY Asheeke was so right with her last column- why are the fathers of the dead children not being prosecuted? (Reference to the children who died in shack fires last week) Our justice system still protects men over women. In this cont Bouquets And Brickbats * ALEXACTUS Kaure, your column in Friday’s newspaper opened my eyes. One hardly finds impartial case study analysers in Namibia. Let’s not destroy the Polytechnic’s strong foundation (Tjivikua) as yet. At least wait until the transf SMS Of The Day * WHY doesn’t NBC listen when they are criticised? The little red chairs on Good Morning Namibia have done their part and are dirty especially at the arm rests. Please listen for once. You interview professionals and internationals on those Food For Thought * MINISTRY of Education, in order to address the shortages of teachers at primary schools why don’t you consider employing us who hold a diploma in lifelong learning and community education for teaching posts? We also did health education Bouquets And Brickbats * MY fellow Namibians, I am not a Swapo member but a third term for President Hifikepuye Pohamba will be a step closer towards attainment of Vision 2030. Believe me His Excellency has made crucial bold decisions, and I don’t regret
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NEWS - AGRICULTURE
| 2013-07-30
Khorixas farmers benefit from Swakara information day
GOING FOR BLACK GOLD ... Some of the farmers from the Khorixas vicinity who attended the Swakara information day.
A TEAM of experts from Agra Professional Services presented a Swakara information day on the at Bloemhof, 40 km west of Khorixas, in the Kunene (south) region recently.
The Agra event was organised in cooperation with the local extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) in an effort to expose livestock farmers to Swakara pelt production as available farming commodity,
The information day was attended by farmers who learnt about the value of Swakara pelts.
Agra’s Wessel Visser and Jaco van Zyl presented lectures highlighting different aspects involved in Swakara farming.
Swakara is described as a multipurpose breed which produces pelts, meat, wool and fat.
“Swakara sheep hold good potential for diversification. Commonly, day-old lambs are marketed, which relieves the ewes from raising lambs in harsh and dry conditions. If there is enough grazing, lambs can be successfully raised as well. These are usually quality replacement ewes while lambs with poor pelts traits are raised as slaughter sheep,” Van Zyl said.
Pelt and mutton production systems were compared.
It was demonstrated that pelt production currently compares favourably to other sheep based production on the basis of profitability. Other benefits include lower risk, the sheep’s adaptability to harsh climatic conditions and also the growing demand for this unique Namibian product.
However, there are some challenges, such as the fact that Swakara sheep need to be sheared, which is costly and labour intensive, while the price for Swakara wool is currently low, due to limited demand.
Quality breeding stock is also scarce and expensive and it is seen as preventing many aspiring farmers from joining the industry.
Swakara pelt production is not new to local communal farmers. Back in the sixties, many pelts were produced in these arid areas, suitable for Swakara production.
As there is a growing demand for pelts, more Swakara farmers are needed in the industry to fill this gap.
The participants appreciated Agra’s initiative for empowering them by sharing relevant information.
The information day was attended by farmers who learnt about the value of Swakara pelts.
Agra’s Wessel Visser and Jaco van Zyl presented lectures highlighting different aspects involved in Swakara farming.
Swakara is described as a multipurpose breed which produces pelts, meat, wool and fat.
“Swakara sheep hold good potential for diversification. Commonly, day-old lambs are marketed, which relieves the ewes from raising lambs in harsh and dry conditions. If there is enough grazing, lambs can be successfully raised as well. These are usually quality replacement ewes while lambs with poor pelts traits are raised as slaughter sheep,” Van Zyl said.
Pelt and mutton production systems were compared.
It was demonstrated that pelt production currently compares favourably to other sheep based production on the basis of profitability. Other benefits include lower risk, the sheep’s adaptability to harsh climatic conditions and also the growing demand for this unique Namibian product.
However, there are some challenges, such as the fact that Swakara sheep need to be sheared, which is costly and labour intensive, while the price for Swakara wool is currently low, due to limited demand.
Quality breeding stock is also scarce and expensive and it is seen as preventing many aspiring farmers from joining the industry.
Swakara pelt production is not new to local communal farmers. Back in the sixties, many pelts were produced in these arid areas, suitable for Swakara production.
As there is a growing demand for pelts, more Swakara farmers are needed in the industry to fill this gap.
The participants appreciated Agra’s initiative for empowering them by sharing relevant information.
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