Why FAs are important
Namibia's agricultural sector serves as a pillar of its economy, pivotal for food production, employment and income generation. However, it grapples with multifaceted challenges spanning climate, market dynamics, technology, inputs and conflicts, all of which hinder sustainable crop and livestock production across communal and commercial settings.Communal farming predominates among smaller-scale producers focused on subsistence, primarily engaging in informal trade, though a notable portion participates in formal markets. In contrast, commercial farming operates at a larger scale, targeting formal and export markets.
Addressing these challenges demands coordinated efforts from stakeholders across the sector. Namibia's agricultural landscape is structured through diverse institutions, notably farmers' associations (FAs), which represent farmers geographically and advocate for their interests. FAs function as non-profit entities affiliated with national unions, sustaining themselves through affiliation fees and commissions from facilitating services like product sales.
Suboptimal productivity
Despite agriculture being the country's largest employer, productivity remains suboptimal due to inadequate skills and knowledge among the workforce. Consequently, FAs are mandated to prioritise capacity-building and skill-development initiatives. These include tailored training programmes and dissemination of information to enhance productivity and adopt sustainable practices.
Access to production inputs such as seeds, medicines and implements poses a significant hurdle for communal farmers, attributable to factors like distance, affordability and information scarcity. FAs play a crucial role in coordinating input acquisition to ensure farmers have the necessary resources for sustained production.
Market access is another critical challenge, particularly in communal areas where FAs can facilitate market exploration and linkage, aligning market requirements with farmers' production capacities.
Moreover, FAs advocate for farmers' interests in policy forums, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
Commitment
For FAs to effectively fulfil their roles, commitment from farmers, strong leadership, and adequate infrastructure are essential. This includes establishing functional offices and equipping them appropriately to manage institutional operations effectively.
Strengthening FAs not only enhances farmers' resilience but also fosters inclusive agricultural development. By addressing systemic challenges collectively, these associations can alleviate burdens on individual farmers and promote sustainable growth in Namibia's agricultural sector.
Lastly, the performance and sustainability of an FA would depend on the commitment of the farmers, the management capacity of its leadership, and the necessary facilities such as the office and equipment to manage the institution.
Therefore, while investing efforts to capacitate farmers, the association should also capacitate itself.
*Erastus Ngaruka is Agribank’s Technical Advisor – Livestock & Rangeland Management.
** Opinion pieces and letters by the public do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial team. The editors reserve the right to abridge original texts. All newspapers of Namibia Media Holdings adhere to the Code of Ethics for Namibian Media, a code established jointly with the Media Ombudsman.