The Minister in the Presidency, Christine ||Hoebes, is urging farmers at Tsjaka and surrounding villages to change their methods of farming to increase food security.
||Hoebes remarked this at the official opening of the Tsjaka Agricultural and Industrial Show 2023 in the Kalahari Constituency.||Hoebes emphasised that it is time that farming communities move away from keeping large herds of livestock and add additional components to their farming practices.
She urged stakeholders to assist farmers in this regard.
“Not to seat and wait for the war to be over while we have the same resource here because all they do there is utilize the soil they have given, mix it with water, put a few seeds there, and they have their grain. Why can’t we do the same if there are wars in other countries where we must go hungry, a war that is even not of our making in this country, even though we don’t know on the map where they are? Why should we suffer?”
The councillor for Gobabis, Augustinius Tebele, says despite challenges facing farming communities, farmers still manage to produce quality livestock.
“By engaging in discussions, let’s also keep in mind the principles of sustainability and resilience in agriculture. Through the exchange of knowledge and cooperative efforts, we can lay the foundation for a prosperous agricultural future.”
The association’s chairperson called on farmers to be open to change and rope in more young people, as the agricultural sector needs robust and innovative ideas.
“You see, the people who have organized this event are mostly elders, but age is calling, which means the youth must take over; it’s your time, not tomorrow, but today.”
Batswana Ba Namibia’s Kgosi Andrew Kgosiemang also attended the event.
“Farming should not be about love for the animals only; therefore, we need to see farming as a business. Let’s have a mind change and educate our farmers to move in this direction.”
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