NOA takes organic agriculture to northern farmers

The Namibia Organic Association (NOA) will embark on a roadshow to north-central Namibia to train farmers on how they can enhance productivity through organic farming practices.

According to NOA spokesperson Disney Andreas, the information-sharing roadshow will target all crop farmers in the northern communal areas (NCA), including women and the youth.

“We will mostly target horticulture producers, but also look at integrated systems of crops, livestock (including chickens) and trees. We will look at how they can all support each other, creating resilient systems,” she said.

Andreas said organic agriculture is a natural way of farming where no inorganic fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and other artificial substances are used.

She said the basic principles for organic agriculture are ensuring that all nutrients are recycled as much as possible to improve soil fertility.

“This can be done through the application of manure or compost to the soil and mulching, as well as by managing soil fertility through the application of organic manure, crop rotation, as well as preventing soil erosion through the use of mulching, cover crops, and minimum soil tillage,” she said.

According to a statement from NOA, the roadshow will start at Ongula Village Homestead Academy at Eenhana on 19 July before going to Omeege at Oshakati on 20 July.

Team members Eckhart Fortsch, Johannes Negongo and Lydia Nakupanda will then go to Outapi on 21 July before winding up the programme at Ondangwa on 22 July.

According to NOA, farmers will be trained in organic compost making, climate-smart land management and water management.

“They will also be trained in heirloom seed pollination and seed-saving methods and formulation of alternative animal feed and nutrition,” said the statement.

In addition, the facilitators will explain to farmers the concept of organic certification.

This is certification under the auspices of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (Ifoam) that the produce is produced in an organic environment.

This certification is awarded after Ifoam-accredited organisations inspect the producing farm.

While this is an expensive undertaking, products that get organic certification find a ready and lucrative overseas market among health-conscious people.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na