Emerging farmers speak out on land reform

THE Namibia Emerging Farmers Association (Nefa) on Tuesday issued its first statement since its inception in July last year.

The NGO, still in its infancy, was formed with the aim of training emerging farmers in all aspects of agriculture, thus complementing the Government’s land reform programme. “Land reform has become a test case for democratic reforms and the pursuit of social justice in countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe,” said Nefa Executive Director Nokukure Tjizera.He added that to many people, the real test of the country’s political transformation was whether land need was being effectively addressed.”On the one hand,” he said, “current land owners and international donors are encouraging the Government to abide by the willing-buyer, willing-seller approach, and not to entertain a Zimbabwean style dispossession of land, while on the other hand there is increasing demand from the landless and from within the governing party for a more drastic approach to land reform, similar to that of Zimbabwe.”He said the Namibian land reform process should look to progress in a manner that would balance the competing interests of the concerned groups, adding that there was general agreement in the country on the merits and importance of land reform.He called upon the international community and local business people to support land reform in Namibia by supporting the training needs of emerging farmers.The first Nefa training session is currently underway in the Omaheke Region, and is scheduled for completion at the end of the month.”Land reform has become a test case for democratic reforms and the pursuit of social justice in countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe,” said Nefa Executive Director Nokukure Tjizera.He added that to many people, the real test of the country’s political transformation was whether land need was being effectively addressed.”On the one hand,” he said, “current land owners and international donors are encouraging the Government to abide by the willing-buyer, willing-seller approach, and not to entertain a Zimbabwean style dispossession of land, while on the other hand there is increasing demand from the landless and from within the governing party for a more drastic approach to land reform, similar to that of Zimbabwe.”He said the Namibian land reform process should look to progress in a manner that would balance the competing interests of the concerned groups, adding that there was general agreement in the country on the merits and importance of land reform.He called upon the international community and local business people to support land reform in Namibia by supporting the training needs of emerging farmers.The first Nefa training session is currently underway in the Omaheke Region, and is scheduled for completion at the end of the month.