Farmers need to gain access to agricultural information

By Erastus Ngaruka, Technical Advisor: Livestock & Rangeland Management

Agriculture is by far an economic pillar in Namibia as it directly or indirectly supports all livelihoods in the form of food, employment, and income. Besides that, agricultural production faces many challenges that are associated with climatic conditions, technology, markets, and knowledge or skills amongst others. For example, potential agricultural production in Namibia is vulnerable to climate change events such as drought, floods, and extreme temperatures.

In addition, inappropriate or absence of technologies, high production costs, unfavorable market shifts in prices, demand and supply patterns, and lack of knowledge and skills also limit potential productivity.

The challenges are commonly experienced by many farmers in the country, more especially the subsistence farmers and those in communal farming areas. As an effort to address these challenges and to enhance agricultural production in the country, there are various support services from different stakeholders, which include government institutions, the private sector, farmers’ unions, and non-governmental organizations amongst others.

These support services are 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 very important 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. Given the current economic activities, climate change, increasing population and demand for agricultural products, the pressure is now exerted on farmers to ensure sustainable productivity and food security.

This requires that farmers keep abreast of new information. This means, farmers may have to discover new and appropriate production practices or enhance their current practices for sustainable productivity and to withstand associated challenges to a significant extent. For example, farmers need information about seed varieties, improved livestock breeding practices, sustainable rangeland utilization, livestock fodder production, new technologies, inputs, and accessing new markets to mention but a few.

There are different platforms and sources of information in the country available to all farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) provides agricultural extension services, including disseminating information, providing training, and offering subsidies for crops and livestock.

In addition, the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (AGRIBANK), offers training and mentorship services to farmers, besides advancing agricultural loans. Farmers’ unions are there as a link between farmers and service providers. Regulatory bodies, such as the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB) and the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), are responsible for livestock and crop value chains respectively.

They provide information related to markets and production. Inputs suppliers, marketing agents, supermarkets, and abattoirs are also available as sources of information for farmers. It is therefore important that farmers visit or commit to the various platforms where these institutions share information.

These can be websites, newspapers, training events, information days, and forums amongst others. Information is key to decision making processes on the farm when it comes to managing eminent challenges and opportunities. “Being aware is equal to being alert and proactive”.