By Reagan Malumo
KATIMA MULILO
Hundreds of farmers from across the Caprivi Region flocked to Impalila Island over the weekend to exhibit their products at a mini-agricultural show held in the area.
The community of Impalila in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry organized the mini-agricultural show. The show was a major success and attracted a number of exhibitors from different places such as Impalila, Ngoma, Kabbe, Sangwali, Sikanjabuka, Bukalo and Kasika.
This is the fifth time for the community of Impalila to host the show, and according to the Chairperson of the Show Society in the area, who also won the Floating Agricultural Trophy for being the most hard working farmer on the island, Godfrey Bainga, the agricultural show is an important platform for farmers to showcase their talents and skills with the aim of imparting agricultural knowledge on different farming techniques to each other.
He alluded to the fact that the main objective of the show was to devise different marketing strategies and thereby assist the farmers of Impalila to sell their products.
Agricultural products such as sunflower, tomatoes, onions, and other vegetables as well as livestock were among those exhibited at the show.
The Deputy Director for North Eastern Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Peter Horn also applauded the community of Impalila for their hard work and improvement in agricultural production. “We know that this community likes doing things for themselves and do them nicely,” said Horn.
He stated that though the island has experienced a tourism boom, it also has great agricultural potential.
Horn was impressed to see a variety of products on exhibition and urged the farmers to continue with the attitude of helping themselves. He said this would encourage Government to render support and assistance.
He explained that the effort demonstrates that it is possible to produce goods that others think are difficult to realize. He said food production is vital for survival. Hence the Government is doing much to strengthen agriculture and will continue to do so.
The Chairperson of Likwama Farmers’ Corporative, James Lizazi, called on the community to implement activities such as Farmers’ Field Days in order to share agricultural knowledge and skills among themselves.
He said that agriculture in the region will only improve through the sharing of skills and experience. He called on those with skills to stop being selfish and to consider sharing with others.
“It is not only Caprivians who should ask for relief food especially that we have lots of these potentials,” urged Lizazi.
He urged farmers in the region to remain united and work hard in order to produce more food that will enable them to sustain themselves. The event was attended by different cultural groups, government ministries and NGOs.