The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) yesterday announced a joint project aimed at strengthening governance at the union.
The initiative was necessitated by the need to enhance the union’s governance structures to ensure that it is adequately equipped to address the challenges that rural farmers, especially, are facing.
Through the agreement, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will provide both technical and financial support towards the union’s constitution review process, which will also include the formulation of various constitutions for its affiliates that consist of 14 regional farmers’ unions and over 130 farmers’ associations.
The agreement was first signed in November last year and runs until May next year.
FAO representative in Namibia Ferdinand Mwapopi said at a press conference yesterday that their support would strengthen the union’s ability to advocate better policies in the agricultural sector.
“FAO hopes that its support will enable NNFU to contribute to organised agriculture in the country, as the main representative union of the majority of farmers, especially small-scale communal farmers,” Mwapopi said.
FAO will further induct and train new union leaders, including those of NNFU and its affiliated regional farmers unions.
Mwapopi said FAO’s work in rural transformation aims to unlock the development potential of rural institutions, reduce inequalities, promote inclusivity and contribute to socio-economic empowerment of rural women and the youth.
“This positions FAO as a competent and relevant stakeholder in the design of policies and inclusive governance systems capable of improving food security and nutrition levels and providing sustainable solutions to communities,” Mwapopi said.
At the same event, Eugene Kanguatjivi, the national project officer at FAO, emphasised the importance of proper governance structures for the success of farmers.
Kanguatjivi stated that it is crucial to enhance the capacity of farmers and establish governance structures so that those in leadership positions can report to members about the progress made and finances received.
He said with enhanced capacity and better governance of their unions, farmers can be empowered to achieve their full potential and contribute to the growth and development of their communities.
“In the absence of governance structures, this has been a challenge,” Kanguatjivi said.
The union plays a crucial role in supporting rural farmers, advocating their interests, and providing services such as training, access to inputs and market linkages.
NNFU acting president, Amon Kapi acknowledged that the union has been struggling with capacity issues within its structures. He expressed appreciation to FAO for providing capacity-building assistance to the union, which he believes will lead to growth through collaboration.
He said the union was struggling to do so due a lack of capacity within its structures. Kapi said the union seeks to improve its ability to support its members and advance the interests of farmers in the country.
“We were trying our best without capacity building, now that you are going to build the capacity within our organisation, the collaboration will see growth,” Kapi said.
