Nam farmers pray for rain in 2006

FARMERS all around Namibia are casting their eyes to the skies and eagerly awaiting the rains.As Raimar von Hase, president of the Namibian Agricultural Union, explained recently, the rains are perhaps the single most important factor influencing 2prospects for Namibian farmers in the upcoming year.

He said farming in Namibia, which is the driest country south of the Sahara, has adapted to take advantage of the unique prevailing conditions so that, although quantities produced are often fairly low compared to other countries, Namibia does produce some of the highest quality agricultural produce. The case in point being the high quality beef, the exceptional lamb, the world’s best karakul pelts and the earliest grapes to ripen every year, which the country produces for export.Also the country’s maize is not grown with genetically modified seeds, he added.Nevertheless, exchange rate fluctuations have significantly influenced prices for many of these high-quality products, he pointed out.Of the other concerns that farmers share around the country, he highlighted the political future of commercial agriculture, particularly against the background of developments in land reform.”We feel the criteria for expropriation should be defined and made public so that commercial farmers can assess themselves,” he said stating the position of the union.However, he was optimistic about the way labour relations have developed in the country over the last year, describing the general situation as calm, marred only by isolated incidents.He did raise concerns over incidents of councillors and other non-labour practitioners increasingly becoming involved in labour disputes and expressed the wish that people would allow the country’s labour laws to run their course in such situations.In the North another commercial farmer, Mecki Schneider, who farms just 20 km south of Grootfontein, expressed similar sentiments and aspirations for a prosperous 2006.Although he said it is still early in the season, he expressed hope for good rains soon.This, he said, would be crucial for a good year for farming in Namibia.Another positive development he noted is the fact that prices for weaners (calves that have been weaned from their mothers) are up by about 20 per cent.However, Schneider said that these price changes would need to be reflected by an increase in slaughter prices paid by local abattoirs for many farmers to reap the benefits.Taking a wider view, Schneider also noted the limited progress made at the World Trade Organisation talks in Asia, saying the planned reduction of agricultural subsidies in Europe would eventually be good news for African farmers.Speaking on land reform, Schneider expressed the view that the willing-buyer, willing-seller system not be cast aside as this is important for confidence to be maintained in the Namibian farming system.Most important, though, “is that we can thank the stability and peace we enjoy in this country.”Kai Rumpf, who farms in the Steinhausen Constituency in Omaheke, also highlighted the need for more rain, although he said that parts of Omaheke had already received some this season.Rumpf, who farms with cattle and maize, said as far as the crops are concerned, the rains are the all-important factor, as delivery prices for maize in 2006 have already been fixed.Prices for cattle are more of a concern despite the recent increase in weaner prices.He said if abattoir prices don’t increase, Meatco might well have difficulty getting enough slaughter animals for their abattoirs next year.He pointed out that many livestock have been exported on the hoof this year after being sold at auctions where farmers received good prices.The other concern he noted was the recent fuel crisis, saying: “I hope the petrol and diesel crisis is sorted out in the very near future because we are on the verge of the planting season and we can’t get hold of any diesel.”He questioned the wisdom of making changes to fuel consumption patterns at this time of year with the holidays and the planting season both at the doorstep.Nevertheless, like the others, he praised the peace and stability in the country affording farmers a conducive environment in which to practice their trade.The case in point being the high quality beef, the exceptional lamb, the world’s best karakul pelts and the earliest grapes to ripen every year, which the country produces for export.Also the country’s maize is not grown with genetically modified seeds, he added.Nevertheless, exchange rate fluctuations have significantly influenced prices for many of these high-quality products, he pointed out.Of the other concerns that farmers share around the country, he highlighted the political future of commercial agriculture, particularly against the background of developments in land reform.”We feel the criteria for expropriation should be defined and made public so that commercial farmers can assess themselves,” he said stating the position of the union.However, he was optimistic about the way labour relations have developed in the country over the last year, describing the general situation as calm, marred only by isolated incidents.He did raise concerns over incidents of councillors and other non-labour practitioners increasingly becoming involved in labour disputes and expressed the wish that people would allow the country’s labour laws to run their course in such situations.In the North another commercial farmer, Mecki Schneider, who farms just 20 km south of Grootfontein, expressed similar sentiments and aspirations for a prosperous 2006.Although he said it is still early in the season, he expressed hope for good rains soon.This, he said, would be crucial for a good year for farming in Namibia.Another positive development he noted is the fact that prices for weaners (calves that have been weaned from their mothers) are up by about 20 per cent.However, Schneider said that these price changes would need to be reflected by an increase in slaughter prices paid by local abattoirs for many farmers to reap the benefits.Taking a wider view, Schneider also noted the limited progress made at the World Trade Organisation talks in Asia, saying the planned reduction of agricultural subsidies in Europe would eventually be good news for African farmers. Speaking on land reform, Schneider expressed the view that the willing-buyer, willing-seller system not be cast aside as this is important for confidence to be maintained in the Namibian farming system.Most important, though, “is that we can thank the stability and peace we enjoy in this country.”Kai Rumpf, who farms in the Steinhausen Constituency in Omaheke, also highlighted the need for more rain, although he said that parts of Omaheke had already received some this season.Rumpf, who farms with cattle and maize, said as far as the crops are concerned, the rains are the all-important factor, as delivery prices for maize in 2006 have already been fixed.Prices for cattle are more of a concern despite the recent increase in weaner prices.He said if abattoir prices don’t increase, Meatco might well have difficulty getting enough slaughter animals for their abattoirs next year.He pointed out that many livestock have been exported on the hoof this year after being sold at auctions where farmers received good prices.The other concern he noted was the recent fuel crisis, saying: “I hope the petrol and diesel crisis is sorted out in the very near future because we are on the verge of the planting season and we can’t get hold of any diesel.”He questioned the wisdom of making changes to fuel consumption patterns at this time of year with the holidays and the planting season both at the doorstep.Nevertheless, like the others, he praised the peace and stability in the country affording farmers a conducive environment in which to practice their trade.