Otjinene farmers yearn for farming information

FOLLOWING a farmers’ information day held recently by the Otjinene Farmers Association (OFA) in conjunction with Agribank, farmers in the constituency called on the association to arrange more such events to enlighten them on farming techniques.

Farmers were taught on a drought management plan, integrated farming systems, rangeland utilisation, degradation and rehabilitation, and livestock health and nutrition amongst others.

In an interview with Nampa on Monday, OFA spokesperson Mbamunondjamo Kaahangoro said days like those ones are important to farmers as the industry is facing many challenges.

“This is a beginning and the farming community showed interest in the topics covered. The workshop was indeed an eye-opener for us and OFA would like to call upon more stakeholders in farming to come closer to farmers in remote areas,” Kaahangoro said. He advised farmers to bear with OFA as it is working on holding similar workshops in the near future with different stakeholders.

Uakasuva Kaputjaza, a small stock farmer from Omungondo-uahijasei said he learned a lot from the workshop and now needs a practical demonstration of the topics.

“Indeed it was interesting, but one would like to know more especially on marketing, mounting, dehorning and castration, among others,” he said.

Another farmer from Okazapamba, Aupaa Ndjavera told this agency that as an emerging farmer, information days of that magnitude would be of greater value if it was held three to five times a year.

“It is a wake-up call, I learned more about recordkeeping of livestock and diversification of our farming,” Ndjavera echoed, adding that he needs more lessons on small stock farming and the yearly injection calendar as well. On his part, Michael Katire from Ozonduno said he lost many cattle and goats as a result of the severe drought the country was hit with last year.

“It was really an ideal thing from OFA to come to aid the farmers after heavy blows from the drought. I learned a lot, especially on animal health, fodder, injection and managing the land,” Katire said.

He added that the practical aspect of these lessons will be vital as not all farmers are able to read.

“The information session will accommodate all, even elders in our community if the trainer focuses on the practical aspect as well,” Katire suggested.

– Nampa

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