Information crucial to empower farmers
Information is key to decision-making processes for farmers when it comes to managing challenges and opportunities.Agribank’s technical advisor for livestock and rangeland management, Erastus Ngaruka, explained that agriculture production faces many challenges that are associated with climatic conditions, technology, markets and knowledge or skills.
For example, Namibian agriculture enterprises are vulnerable to climate change events such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures.
“In addition, inappropriate or absent technologies, high production costs, unfavourable market shifts in prices, demand and supply patterns and a lack of knowledge and skills also limit potential productivity," he said.
Support is at hand
While these challenges are commonly experienced among farmers, they are especially relevant to subsistence farmers and farmers in communal areas.
In an effort to address these challenges and enhance agricultural production in Namibia, Ngaruka said there are various support services available from different stakeholders.
“These support services come in different forms and are essential as they come with direct or indirect benefits to farmers and ultimately to the development or advancement of agricultural production in the country.”
To begin with, if farmers are to improve their farming practices and productivity levels, it is crucial that they create sufficient time for their farming operations, have access to information and capacity-building services to gain appropriate knowledge and skills, and put them into practice.
Know your business
He said given the current economic activities, climate change, a growing population and demand for agricultural products, farmers are under pressure to ensure sustainable productivity and food security.
“This requires that farmers keep abreast of new information,” Ngaruka emphasised.
He highlighted that farmers may have to explore new and appropriate production practices or enhance their current practices for sustainable productivity to withstand associated challenges to a significant extent.
Farmers, for example, need information about seed varieties, improved livestock breeding practices, sustainable rangeland utilisation, livestock fodder production, new technologies, inputs and accessing new markets, to mention but a few.
He pointed out that there are different platforms and sources of information available for farmers.
Relevant stakeholders
The agriculture ministry provides agricultural extension services, including dissemination of information and training, and offers subsidies for crops and livestock.
In addition, the Agricultural Bank of Namibia offers training and mentorship services to farmers, besides advancing agricultural loans. Farmers' unions offer a link between farmers and service providers. Regulatory bodies, such as the Livestock and Livestock Products Board and the Namibian Agronomic Board, are responsible for livestock and crop value chains, respectively.
“They provide information related to markets and production. Inputs from suppliers, marketing agents, supermarkets and abattoirs are also available as sources of information for farmers.”
It is therefore important that farmers explore the various platforms where these institutions share information.