• Agriculture

The future is green

• 5 Months Ago - 2024-07-11 08:20:00

Farm Krumhuk, which is located about 25 km from Windhoek, is not only known for the most delicious Sunday pastries under the giant trees of the farmhouse but also for its wide range of organic products that are sold at various markets in Windhoek.
Krumhuk is also synonymous with organic agricultural practices and sustainable farming with livestock.
One of the owners, Clemens Voights, is passionate about the benefits of sustainable farming using organic methods. One method is to carefully plan grazing rotation systems designed to maintain pasture and soil health. On the other hand, it ensures that the livestock's health and productivity are of top quality.
"These planned rotation systems enable us to manage our pasture more efficiently," explains Clemens.
"By rotating the pastures, we give each part of the soil time to recover. This in turn prevents overgrazing and promotes biodiversity."
The farm serves as a community hub and supports around 80 residents and employs 34 people. Apart from agriculture, it houses a mini shop, bakery, butcher, guest houses, kindergarten and a small school.
Clemens says Krumhuk focuses on farming with Nguni cattle for both meat and milk and uses mobile pens to rotate the pasture.
The farm also has a robust business model and produces a variety of food products that are sold at their on-site shop and also at local markets such as the Green Market in the capital. Some of the products include a wide range of vegetables, fruits, spices, oils and even ratatouille.
Krumhuk is also one of the key suppliers for the organic section of the SuperSpar at the Maerua Shopping Centre.
The cake and coffee served every second Sunday is a hit for both young and old who want to get away from the city and experience the tranquillity and beauty of nature and the picturesque Auas mountains.
NOA
Vera Corry, a board member of the Namibian Organic Association (NOA), says the local supply of organic products to the local market is too little to meet demand. Vera says Namibia only has four certified organic farms and one that is internationally recognised.
"Efforts to encourage conventional farmers to use organic methods and apply for certification run into financial and educational obstacles. To apply to NOA, the annual certification costs vary from N$3 000 for local certification to between N$40 000 and N$50 000 for international certification.
According to Vera, another critical issue in the local industry is the absence of legal protection for the term "organic", which makes consumers vulnerable to misleading information.
"It is essential for consumers to look for the NOA certification when they buy products that are truly organic," she warns.
Challenges
Clemens remembers the immense challenges that the drought in 2019 brought to Krumhuk which reduced their cattle from 600 to 90.
"The drought of 2019 was the worst for us, even worse than the one in the 80s. However, it taught us so much about the importance of land management and preparing land to manage the impact of the drought then and also the one we are currently experiencing.
"Fortunately, the little rain we have had is enough to sustain the herd as the ground is so well prepared. By preparing the soil ahead of time, we can increase the resistance and ability to retain moisture, which is essential during dry periods," says Clemens.
According to him, Farm Krumhuk is also against the dehorning of cattle, a practice that is often used to meet the economic demand because more cattle can be transported this way.
"The dehorning of cattle is a cruel practice that is simply done to meet the economic needs of the farmer," says Clemens.
"We see organic farming not simply as a passing trend, but a fundamental move towards sustainable agriculture," Vera emphasises.
"It is about ensuring a healthier future for both our country and our communities."
Organic agriculture, distinguished by its reliance on natural substances and processes, aims to improve the ecological balance, while at the same time preserving biodiversity and the fertility of the soil.
Biodynamic farming
Biodynamic farming, a subdivision of organic agriculture, emphasises holistic farming practices and integrates a spiritual and organic approach. Both systems do not use synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms and gives priority to the rotation of crops and compost.
At Krumhuk, these principles are deeply interwoven into the farm's meticulous farming methods.
The visit to farm Krumhuk is the brainchild of the NOA in partnership with the Namibian Nature Foundation and the Hub for Knowledge on Organic Agriculture and Agricultural Ecology in Southern Africa (KHSA), to highlight the essential role of organic agricultural practices and sustainable farming with livestock.
The KHSA, one of five hubs under the auspices of the Centre for Knowledge for Organic Agriculture (KCOA), was established in 2020 and focuses on creating and sharing information tailored to various communities and role players.
The centre's aim includes building a network of recognised information on organic practices to promote sustainable agriculture.
Last year, the KCOA launched a website to provide access to a range of information products, including publications, posters and manuals. The aim is largely to share information related to organic agriculture and climate change. Because climate change in particular continues to present serious challenges to farmers, among others, it is initiatives such as those at Farm Krumhuk that highlight the resilience and promise of organic agriculture in building a sustainable future.