Govt squarely behind the karakul industry

THE MINISTER of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr Nickey Iyambo, has urged private partners to back the Government in its endeavours to enhance development in the farming sector.

“While Government recognises that agriculture’s contribution to the GDP is about seven per cent, its contribution to the wellbeing and stability of the nation is of utmost importance,” Iyambo said. Speaking on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba at a gala evening where farmers celebrated the centennial of the karakul industry in Namibia, Iyambo said agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy and rural activities.Iyambo said the karakul industry has enhanced the welfare of rural communities and offered an opportunity to many Namibians to unfold their talents in the areas of karakul sheep farming, breeding, mutton and wool production, weaving and marketing of pelts.”In most of these disciplines the skills applied and techniques developed by the Namibian karakul industry is unmatched in the world,” he said.Iyambo said Government is willing to co-operate by sharing experience and technical knowledge.”I am looking forward to the day when Government, in co-operation with partners of the industry, will create a karakul production and training centre of excellence here at Gellap-Ost research farm outside Keetmanshoop, where we can train new prospective farmers in the karakul industry,” he said.The agriculture minister also noted that Government has declared the karakul sheep as a resource of strategic importance and as such, export of any karakul genetic material is strictly prohibited.”Namibia needs to protect its intellectual property,” he said.He further pledged to karakul farmers that Government would provide the necessary policy environment for the industry to flourish.He also announced that Cabinet has approved the ‘Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Karakul Sheep in Namibia’ – an announcement that received huge applause from the farmers.”I trust the code will put traders and consumers of fur at ease, because it gives assurance that good practices and internationally acceptable animal welfare standards are being implemented by all stakeholders of the industry,” Iyambo said.Also speaking at the event, Karakul Board Chairman Kobus Van Wyk said that the karakul industry has made considerable achievements in the past 100 years.He singled out the establishment of the Swakara trademark in 1966, adding it fostered considerable growth in the industry during the 1970s, with the total number of pelts exported from Namibia amounting to 3,5 million.”Today the Swakara brand has a strong personality within the international fashion world and apart from increasing demand, the success of the brand name also attributed to market-driven production, sufficient investment in marketing and promotional efforts as well as the utilisation of a centralised and freely established marketing system,” Van Wyk said.At the event a book titled ‘Karakul, Gift from the Arid Land’ was launched.The author of the book, Brenda Bravenboar, expressed gratitude towards the karakul industry for introducing her to a fascinating world of diversity.”I should tell you that I had no idea of what I was letting myself in for.Soon the unknown world of karakul and Swakara opened up to me,” Bravenboer said.The centennial festival ended on Friday with a karakul ram auction, where a ram was auctioned for a record price of N$38 000.Speaking on behalf of President Hifikepunye Pohamba at a gala evening where farmers celebrated the centennial of the karakul industry in Namibia, Iyambo said agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy and rural activities.Iyambo said the karakul industry has enhanced the welfare of rural communities and offered an opportunity to many Namibians to unfold their talents in the areas of karakul sheep farming, breeding, mutton and wool production, weaving and marketing of pelts.”In most of these disciplines the skills applied and techniques developed by the Namibian karakul industry is unmatched in the world,” he said.Iyambo said Government is willing to co-operate by sharing experience and technical knowledge.”I am looking forward to the day when Government, in co-operation with partners of the industry, will create a karakul production and training centre of excellence here at Gellap-Ost research farm outside Keetmanshoop, where we can train new prospective farmers in the karakul industry,” he said.The agriculture minister also noted that Government has declared the karakul sheep as a resource of strategic importance and as such, export of any karakul genetic material is strictly prohibited.”Namibia needs to protect its intellectual property,” he said.He further pledged to karakul farmers that Government would provide the necessary policy environment for the industry to flourish.He also announced that Cabinet has approved the ‘Code of Practice for Care and Handling of Karakul Sheep in Namibia’ – an announcement that received huge applause from the farmers.”I trust the code will put traders and consumers of fur at ease, because it gives assurance that good practices and internationally acceptable animal welfare standards are being implemented by all stakeholders of the industry,” Iyambo said.Also speaking at the event, Karakul Board Chairman Kobus Van Wyk said that the karakul industry has made considerable achievements in the past 100 years.He singled out the establishment of the Swakara trademark in 1966, adding it fostered considerable growth in the industry during the 1970s, with the total number of pelts exported from Namibia amounting to 3,5 million.”Today the Swakara brand has a strong personality within the international fashion world and apart from increasing demand, the success of the brand name also attributed to market-driven production, sufficient investment in marketing and promotional efforts as well as the utilisation of a centralised and freely established marketing system,” Van Wyk said.At the event a book titled ‘Karakul, Gift from the Arid Land’ was launched.The author of the book, Brenda Bravenboar, expressed gratitude towards the karakul industry for introducing her to a fascinating world of diversity.”I should tell you that I had no idea of what I was letting myself in for.Soon the unknown world of karakul and Swakara opened up to me,” Bravenboer said.The centennial festival ended on Friday with a karakul ram auction, where a ram was auctioned for a record price of N$38 000.