Courses for new farmers

NEW and emerging farmers or those who are to be resettled can attend a course on how to successfully run and manage a farm.

The four-day course offers an opportunity to participants who are considering, or are in the process of buying a farm, or who want to prepare for resettlement on a Government farm. Facilitator, Wiebke Volkmann, of EarthWise Enterprise says that in the light of climate change “it is essential that farmers are equipped to manage uncertainties and great variability in weather and market conditions and can plan for rising energy costs and the coming changes in energy sources.”Practical skills like planning and managing production and finances will also be on the agenda.The course will run from July 17 to 20 at the Ben Hur Rural Development Centre, approximately 60 kilometres south of Gobabis.It is planned to offer the above orientation session five times in various locations, depending on where it suits the majority of participants.Each can accommodate 24 participants and attendance is free.Accommodation and most meals will be provided by the Emerging Commercial Farmers Support Programme (ECFSP), which is spearheaded by the National Agricultural Union (NAU) and the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU).The ECFSPV also provides an ongoing learning and mentor support programme for new farmers.The fee for the whole package of the follow-up learning and support programme will be between N$3 000 and N$4 080 payable over 12 months.Facilitator, Wiebke Volkmann, of EarthWise Enterprise says that in the light of climate change “it is essential that farmers are equipped to manage uncertainties and great variability in weather and market conditions and can plan for rising energy costs and the coming changes in energy sources.”Practical skills like planning and managing production and finances will also be on the agenda.The course will run from July 17 to 20 at the Ben Hur Rural Development Centre, approximately 60 kilometres south of Gobabis.It is planned to offer the above orientation session five times in various locations, depending on where it suits the majority of participants.Each can accommodate 24 participants and attendance is free.Accommodation and most meals will be provided by the Emerging Commercial Farmers Support Programme (ECFSP), which is spearheaded by the National Agricultural Union (NAU) and the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU).The ECFSPV also provides an ongoing learning and mentor support programme for new farmers.The fee for the whole package of the follow-up learning and support programme will be between N$3 000 and N$4 080 payable over 12 months.