Don’t be an outsider – become involved through a farmers’ association and help make a difference in the agricultural sector.

WHO SHOULD BECOME A MEMBER?

Any entrepreneur of 18 years and older who owns agricultural land, leases land, is a part-time farmer or occupies land himself can become a member of the NAU via a farmers’ association.

WHY SHOULD YOU BECOME A MEMBER?

• With the current political situation in which developing agriculture carries high priority, it is vitally important that the needs of the commercial farmers are not overlooked. The NAU was successful in gaining recognition from the Government as the representative of the commercial farmers.
• Namibia’s climate is not exactly agriculture-friendly, with the result that resources are scarce and production is not naturally sustainable without policies governing the use of natural resources. Here the NAU played an important role in establishing guidelines, for example the agricultural policy, the water management policy, drought management and national livestock herd improvement as well as harmonizing the policies of game farming, agri-tourism and others.
• Eighty percent of our agricultural production is meat, and of that, 80% must be exported as our domestic market is too small to absorb such quantities. Namibian producers therefore compete with producers from all over the world for foreign markets. These markets are unfriendly, if not downright hostile, and make it truly difficult to get our meat onto the tables in homes overseas. The NAU fulfils an important role in ensuring access to these markets. The NAU, as representative of the producers, also strive to meet the requirements of the foreign markets, such as protecting the animal health status of Namibia and the labeling- and trace-ability of our products – without which the markets will be closed to Namibians.
• Major changes have marked the worldwide economy in recent years, mainly because of the “shrinking” of the world economy due to information technology. Economic information, from new production techniques to market trends, consumer preferences, economic growth and interest rate fluctuations, has become important for producers to remain competitive. The NAU helps pro-actively by means of the Agrinamibia website, the AgriForum magazine, the weekly NAU e-newsletter, Smalls and the radio programs. Closer to home, the NAU is negotiating affordable financing for agriculture, especially through the Agribank, tax relief and cheaper input prices.
• There is no country in the world that puts economic realities and principles before political needs. Namibia is no exception and in this respect, the NAU plays an important role in bringing the two extremes as close as possible to each other. Examples of topics in this field are the process of land reform and the negotiations to move the veterinary cordon fence northwards.
• Agriculture can no longer be successfully managed in isolation. Bi- and multilateral trade agreements have a huge influence on the agricultural sector. The NAU maintains international liaison in order to gain moral, financial and technical support.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A MEMBER?

There are 70 Farmers’ Associations throughout the country that are affiliated to the NAU.

Application to become a member can be done through a Farmers’ Association or the office of the NAU.

Membership fees are payable on the 1st of March for that financial year.

Members that have paid their fees up to date, receive the weekly e-newsletters, a glossy agricultural magazine the Agriforum, and all other relevant and important information on a regular basis.

For further information, please contact your nearest Farmers Association or the NAU office on Tel:  061 – 237 838 or 237 880.

The Financial Manager
Private Bag 13255
Windhoek
Namibia
E-mail: elsabe@agrinamibia.com.na