OKAKARARA – The Communal Farmers Consortium injected N$100 000 into the livestock section of the Okakarara Trade Fair to help cattle breeders in the Otjozondjupa Region.
The consortium consists of the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank), Agra, FNB Namibia, Feedmaster, Meatco, Meatboard, Telecom Namibia and the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU). “We started by sponsoring local mini shows in communal areas. After several years, we started sponsoring regional shows in all the regions,” explained Wylie Upi, the treasurer of the consortium and also a representative of Agribank. According to Upi, the money will be used to award winners in the different categories of the livestock sector, while the rest will be used to offset administrative costs. He said because of the severe drought facing the country, many regions would not be able to host regional shows, which prompted the consortium to bankroll the farmers. Upi said the consortium has also designed workshops to train farmers on sound farming principles, which is a form of value addition to their operations.
Upi said there are many emerging breeders and farmers who came through the Windhoek Agricultural Show and are today success stories, thanks to assistance by the consortium. The Director of Agriculture of the Okakarara Trade Fair, John Uazukuani, announced the winners of the livestock division as Justus Tjirimuje, whose bull won the Grand Champion Cup and walked away with N$1 500. Renowned farmer Albert Tjiero’s cow also won the Grand Champion prize in the female category and also pocketed N$1500.
In the goats category, Stanley Tjozongoro and R. Uandara each won N$800 for their ram and ewe respectively. Tjozongoro also won the Grand Champion prize for his ewe in the sheep category and scooped another N$800, while Ebson Tjiho took the grand prize for his ram and was also awarded N$800. The prizes were sponsored by Telecom Namibia.
Wylie Upi the treasurer of the Communal Farmers Consortium.
Albert Tjihero and Nandi Nguherimo show off 7-year-old Uaripi, a Brahman cow, which won the Grand Champion prize of N$1 500 at the Okakarara Trade Fair, which ended on Sunday. The Brahman cow also won the Champ of Champions Cup at the first ever Ongombe Show held in Windhoek recently.
By Magreth Nunuhe