News
NAU News: WEEKLY NEWS – 5 February 2010
Published: Feb 05, 2010 - 04:25 PM
- Ministry of Lands and Resettlement hosts workshop in Otjiwarongo
- Emerging Farmers Program on track again
- The LPF visits the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture
- Meatco National Braai Competition
- FA and other days
The Ministry of Lands and Resettlement this week hosted its second workshop in Otjiwarongo to discuss the newly suggested Land Reform Act for Namibia. The workshop was attended by approximately 110 people who were mainly representatives from the Traditional Authorities and civil organisations in the Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Khomas regions. The NAU was represented by delegates from the Grootfontein-, Okahandja-, Omaruru and Epukiro Farmers Associations. Mr Sakkie Coetzee, Executive Manager of the NAU attended the workshop on behalf of Mr Ryno van der Merwe, the president of the NAU.
The draft “Land Bill” which joins the current Commercial and Communal Land Reform Acts was discussed by the delegates.
Four working groups looked at –
- the right of first refusal of government to buy land which includes:
- the offering of land by the current land owners
- the expropriation of agricultural land and
- limitation of purchasing of land by foreigners
- the allocation of rights with regard to communal land
- the compilation and activities of the Land Reform Advisory Commission (LRAC)
- the various definitions of application of the Act and especially the definition of alienation
Numerous proposals on the current draft were accepted by the workshop for discussion at the national workshop which will be held in Windhoek from March 1 – 3, 2010. Matters such as an alternative mechanism for government to exercise its right of first refusal when purchasing land, the definition of usufruct, inheritance, the compilation of the Land Reform Advisory Commission and the Regional Land Boards, the right of use of communal land, etc will all be discussed at the national conference.
Emerging Farmers Program on track again
The Emerging Farmers Program which was administered by the NAU until August 2009 and which was financed by the European Union, this week got on track again with a workshop which was held in Windhoek. The program will be financed for the next 3 years by the German Government through its development arm, the GTZ.
The aim of the workshop was to put together a program based on lessons learned from the first phase of the project.
More details will be forwarded to participating parties in due course. This information will include training actions and who could apply therefore.
The LPF visits the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture
The Livestock Producers Forum (LPF) visited the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr A Ndishishi on Monday, February 1, 2010. The aim of the meeting was to enquire about government’s viewpoint with regard to the Small Stock Marketing Scheme. At present an alternative proposal for the current Small Stock Marketing Scheme is available which has not yet been either accepted or rejected by government. The PS confirmed that the alternative proposal will hopefully be discussed during the strategic workshop of the Meat Board on February 4 & 5, 2010 for finalisation and submission to Cabinet. The representatives for the Livestock Producers Organisation on the LPF were Mr Rumpf (chairman) and Mr J C de Klerk (Regional Representative for Keetmanshoop).
Farmers’ ladder to success
Agra Professional Services will present the following lectures to farmers:
- 18 February: Veld management during the rainy season by Dr Axel Rothauge
- 25 February: Infectious diseases of livestock (part 1) by Dr Rainer Hassel
- 4 March: Introduction to farming finances by Mr Günther Roeber
- 11 March: Veld quality and lick supplementation in the rainy season by Dr Axel Rothauge
The lectures will be held at the Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring from 15:00 – 18:00. Registration fee is N$100 per person which includes light refreshments. For enquiries or bookings contact Ms Marietta Grobler, Tel 061 2909208, advice@agra.com.na Further lectures such as inter alia Basic Immunology and vaccines, Cash flow planning, etc will be offered and the dates will be announced in due course.
Meatco National Braai Competition
Soccer World Cup 2010! That is the theme of this year’s Meatco National Braai Competition and both the farming and business communities alike are heartily invited to come and take part in the fun-filled event.
The 2010 competition is hosted by Sonop Farmers’ Association (FA) and takes place on 23 and 24 April at the Gobabis Show Grounds. More than N$130 000 worth of prizes and cash are up for grabs, including the N$70 000 for the conquering FA and N$10 000 for the winning team in the social category. Entries close on March 31, 2010 and further details can be obtained from Johan de Jager, Tel 062 568913, 081 2686930, jdejager@iway.na
FA and other days
Epukiro FA is holding a meeting on February 10 at 14:00 at the Plessisplaas member hall. Further details from Mr Hälbich, Tel 062 569014, gdelta@iafrica.com.na
Dorsland FA is holding a meeting on February 9 at 15:00 at Saambou. Guest speaker is Mr Mike Bartman of Investmed Namibia Ltd. Further details from Mrs Lottering, Tel 062 571527, franzeli@mweb.com.na.
Witvlei FA is holding a meeting on February 17 at 15:00 at the FA hall. Guest speaker is Mr Bernd Meyer who will talk about CLAAS tractors and farm implements. For further details contact Mrs M Bouwer, Tel 062 570317, gmbouwer@iway.na
Keetmanshoop Regional Agricultural Union is holding a meeting on February 18 at 08:00 at Bird’s Mansion. Further details from Berdine de Klerk, Tel 063 266006, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na
Dordabis FA is holding a meeting on February 11 at 14:00 at the FA hall. Guest speakers are Mr Strydom of the Meat Board, Judith Lazak, Heiko Lucks of Lucks Oil & Energy Namibia, a representative of Shell as well as ‘n representative from the Agri Branch of First National Bank. For further details contact Mrs Engels, Tel 062 - 581 423, fengels@iway.na
Klein Karas FA is holding a meeting on February 11 at 08:00 at Farm Us of Mr Leon van Wyk. For further details contact Berdine de Klerk, Tel 063 266006, arbeid@mtcmobile.com.na
Maltahöhe FA is holding a meeting on March 10 at 10:00 at Farm Sandrücken of Mr and Mrs Nico Bronkhorst and Mr J Hanekom. Guest speakers are Mr Clinton Collett, a farmer from the RSA and founding member of the Meatmaster sheep breed, Mr Nico Bronkhorst who will give an introductory demonstration of the Ngobu cattle breed, Mr Jonny Hanekom who will talk about alternative power, Mr Nico Venter of Lucksoil and Mrs Anette Steyn of Virbac. For further details contact Mr Christian Otto, Tel 063 293512, ottohunt@mweb.com.na
Stampriet FA is holding a management and member meeting on February 10 at the FA hall at 08:00 and 15:00 respectively. For further details contact Christelle van Wyk, Tel 063-250043, stampriet@mweb.com.na
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