FARMERS should be able to operate in a favourable environment in Namibia, which should include certainty about ownership and productive use of land and an optimal marketing environment, the annual congress of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) resolved on Thursday.
The NAU held its 62nd annual gathering under the theme ‘The role and value of the farmer for food security’. Uncertainty about land ownership in view of farm expropriations made farmers think twice about investing in new equipment and infrastructure, some delegates noted.While acknowledging the right of Government to expropriate farms, the lack of clear criteria was also discussed.Farmers further noted that valuations of some farms had in some cases increased up to 67 per cent in 2007, which led to soaring land taxes.Other points discussed were an envisaged future umbrella body for all organised agriculture in Namibia and the successful emerging farmers program (ECFSP) financed by the European Union to the tune of N$9,4 million.”The training courses, manuals and practical approach with regard to the training of emerging farmers are very successful and well received,” said outgoing NAU president Raimar von Hase in his annual report.”We hope to negotiate with the EU to expand the programme beyond 2009 and to offer it to communal farmers.”The existing pension scheme for farmworkers also came under the spotlight.Delegates were informed that Government had after a few years of silence again embarked on the establishment of a national pension scheme for all employed Namibians.Existing private pension schemes have to blend in with the proposed national pension fund.During the congress, the NAU honoured various agricultural leaders for their contribution towards agriculture.Raimar von Hase also bade farewell as president of the NAU after his four-year term of office ended.His successor, Ryno van der Merwe, was introduced to members.The NAU award winners for 2008 were Hardus and Ansie Breedt of the Farm Rumara and members of Nurugas Farmers’ Association at Grootfontein, who won the NAU Young Farmer of the Year award.Anke Halenke of the farm Hohenau east of Windhoek was the Agricultural Woman of the Year for her long-standing efforts to teach women farmworkers to make crafts which they sell as an extra income.Wilfried Haehner of the German Service of the NBC received the Agricultural Journalist of the Year award.The Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association scooped the prize as the most active Farmers’ Association and the Mariental NAU as most active regional NAU.Uncertainty about land ownership in view of farm expropriations made farmers think twice about investing in new equipment and infrastructure, some delegates noted.While acknowledging the right of Government to expropriate farms, the lack of clear criteria was also discussed.Farmers further noted that valuations of some farms had in some cases increased up to 67 per cent in 2007, which led to soaring land taxes.Other points discussed were an envisaged future umbrella body for all organised agriculture in Namibia and the successful emerging farmers program (ECFSP) financed by the European Union to the tune of N$9,4 million.”The training courses, manuals and practical approach with regard to the training of emerging farmers are very successful and well received,” said outgoing NAU president Raimar von Hase in his annual report.”We hope to negotiate with the EU to expand the programme beyond 2009 and to offer it to communal farmers.”The existing pension scheme for farmworkers also came under the spotlight.Delegates were informed that Government had after a few years of silence again embarked on the establishment of a national pension scheme for all employed Namibians.Existing private pension schemes have to blend in with the proposed national pension fund.During the congress, the NAU honoured various agricultural leaders for their contribution towards agriculture.Raimar von Hase also bade farewell as president of the NAU after his four-year term of office ended.His successor, Ryno van der Merwe, was introduced to members.The NAU award winners for 2008 were Hardus and Ansie Breedt of the Farm Rumara and members of Nurugas Farmers’ Association at Grootfontein, who won the NAU Young Farmer of the Year award.Anke Halenke of the farm Hohenau east of Windhoek was the Agricultural Woman of the Year for her long-standing efforts to teach women farmworkers to make crafts which they sell as an extra income.Wilfried Haehner of the German Service of the NBC received the Agricultural Journalist of the Year award.The Helmeringhausen Farmers’ Association scooped the prize as the most active Farmers’ Association and the Mariental NAU as most active regional NAU.
