ETUNDA – A passionate farm manager at Kafo Kape at Etunda, who tucked away a B-Tech degree and took to farming, says Namibia still lags behind and is yet to become self-sufficient in food production.
Speaking from a farmer’s perspective, Twiihendeni Israel says Namibian farmers have the capacity to engage in agro food processing, however, the challenge remains getting the right equipment and loyal customers.
One pertinent factor that Israel outlines as a hindrance to self-sufficiency is the high cost of production and he has called on government to subsidise farmers in order to increase the goods processed locally.
At the moment, many people are not encouraged to venture into farming and the food produced locally spends months on shop shelves, he says.
Israel applauds the Namibian government for subsidising seed and fertiliser through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.
“There are people who tested the market, however, they quit because the cost of production is just too high to sustain goods that stay for months on shop shelves,” says Israel.
In the same vein, Israel says the subsidy would encourage students from the University of Namibia’s Neudamm campus to become job creators and increase food security instead of becoming job seekers. “Even Neudamm graduates are looking for jobs while they should create jobs instead,” says Israel.
According to Israel, even though Namibia is still behind in development, an initiative to encourage local manufacturing and production would boost the economy.
He particularly encourages the youth to be job creators.
Instead of an office suit and a briefcase by the side, the B-Tech graduate from the Polytechnic of Namibia braves the scorching sun, as he cultivates the farm at Etunda agriculture project.
With the assistance of three farm workers, Israel and his team use hoes to cultivate the 12-hectare plot. In addition, Angolans, who come from Angola in search for menial work on the farms at Etunda in exchange for dried maize, also assist them, Israel says.
Asked whether the work is not too much, Israel is quick to relate how his passion for agriculture started. “My passion for agriculture draws from the time I was in Grade 10 and since then I had always assisted at the family farm. When I was at Polytech I used to have a seedling nursery and I used to sell them during the holidays,” says Israel.
Israel says he plans to venture into bean processing and seedling nursery.
At Kafo Kape, he and his team grow maize, butternuts, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, and vegetables, among others.
The major challenge he faces is unpredictable rains hindering crop growth, pesticides and the inflated prices of fertilisers and all other nutrients needed to enable the crops to grow.
Despite the challenges, Israel says farming also creates jobs indirectly for the people who purchase the farm produce. “It is thrilling to know that our produce can create jobs for many people because the majority are the memes who sell vegetables and fruits alongside the road or the open market,” said Israel.