Multi-million dollar projects to help smaller farmers introduced

THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, through the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB,) will implement two projects on farmer level that will raise productivity and increase overall farm production of subsistence farmers.

The projects, Draught Animal Power Acceleration Programme (DAPAP) and the Productivity Upliftment Micro-Projects (PUMP), will be launched this week. The main focus of both projects is the enhancement of draught animal power, which is normally used by the majority of smaller farmers in the northern communal areas, who are not in a position either by choice or otherwise – to make use of mechanical tillage and weeding equipment.The objective of the DAPAP is to deliver training of farmers and animals.The Ministry has placed N$4,3 million with NAB towards the implementation of DAPAP.DAPAP-PUMP project manager Ralf Hoffman, of NAB, said already 193 trainers from Kunene, Omahake and Caprivi regions had been trained for these projects.In line with a memorandum of understanding between Namibia and the United States, N$6,4 million was allocated to PUMP to provide micro grants to farmers to buy approved small equipment and tools which would in turn increase farm output.The Ministry of Water and Rural Development and NAB will work closely with community leaders, the Directorate of Extension and Engineering Services and Agricultural Extension Technicians on the implementation of both initiatives.The main focus of both projects is the enhancement of draught animal power, which is normally used by the majority of smaller farmers in the northern communal areas, who are not in a position either by choice or otherwise – to make use of mechanical tillage and weeding equipment.The objective of the DAPAP is to deliver training of farmers and animals.The Ministry has placed N$4,3 million with NAB towards the implementation of DAPAP.DAPAP-PUMP project manager Ralf Hoffman, of NAB, said already 193 trainers from Kunene, Omahake and Caprivi regions had been trained for these projects.In line with a memorandum of understanding between Namibia and the United States, N$6,4 million was allocated to PUMP to provide micro grants to farmers to buy approved small equipment and tools which would in turn increase farm output.The Ministry of Water and Rural Development and NAB will work closely with community leaders, the Directorate of Extension and Engineering Services and Agricultural Extension Technicians on the implementation of both initiatives.