Cheetah-friendly farmers get awards

THREE Namibian farmers have been recognised for their efforts in adapting farming methods to reduce conflict with cheetahs and other predators.

Leon Cloete, a Rehoboth farmer, and Piet and Christine Stoman were awarded the Cheetah Conservation Fund’s Cheetah Conservation Farmers of The Year Award at the CCF’s annual gala dinner last weekend. Cloete was one of the farmers who attended CCF’s Integrated Livestock and Predator Management course in November last year.He said the course was “a real eye opener” and showed him a different perspective on farming.The CCF said Cloete applied its guidelines to prevent losses to predators, including acquiring an Anatolian livestock-guarding dog from CCF to protect his small stock herds.”Leon has set a good example to other Namibian farmers by applying an integrated livestock and predator management system, sharing his gained knowledge with fellow farmers and being a credible ambassador for CCF and the Namibian farming community,” the Foundation said in a statement.Piet Stoman is the chairman of the Otavi Farmers Association while Christine is the secretary of the association.The two, according to CCF, have an unfailing positive attitude and believe it is their social responsibility to contribute towards the development of fellow farmers.”Their commitment to this belief is exemplary and combining their considerable skills and talents, this team supports the farming community in which they live,” said the statement.Cloete was one of the farmers who attended CCF’s Integrated Livestock and Predator Management course in November last year.He said the course was “a real eye opener” and showed him a different perspective on farming.The CCF said Cloete applied its guidelines to prevent losses to predators, including acquiring an Anatolian livestock-guarding dog from CCF to protect his small stock herds.”Leon has set a good example to other Namibian farmers by applying an integrated livestock and predator management system, sharing his gained knowledge with fellow farmers and being a credible ambassador for CCF and the Namibian farming community,” the Foundation said in a statement.Piet Stoman is the chairman of the Otavi Farmers Association while Christine is the secretary of the association.The two, according to CCF, have an unfailing positive attitude and believe it is their social responsibility to contribute towards the development of fellow farmers.”Their commitment to this belief is exemplary and combining their considerable skills and talents, this team supports the farming community in which they live,” said the statement.