Stefanus Nambara
NKURENKURU – Small-scale horticulture producers in the Kavango West were recognised and given awards for their hard work and efforts.
The region’s first-ever small-scale horticulture producers’ awards ceremony, is a brainchild of the regional governor’s office.
At the handing over ceremony that was recently held at PK Eharo Farm in the Mankumpi constituency, two awards for best small-scale horticulture producer and most improved small-scale horticulture producer were handed over to deserving recipients.
The governor of the region, Sirkka Ausiku, in her state of region address delivered last week, said plans are to hold the awards annually and with the aim of motivating farmers to produce more at household level and for marketing purposes.
“This year in the programme, we will add an additional category recognising our youth that are involved in horticulture production,” Ausiku said.
The owner of PK Eharo Farm, Pius Karumbwena Kapikara scooped a floating trophy as the best small-scale horticulture producer. He also received a N$5 000 voucher from Agribank.
Kapikara said he was honoured, at peace and happy for being recognised as the best among all other small-scale horticulture producers in the region.
“My request is, may we take what we saw today here at the farm and teach others so that we can all work together and fight hunger. If we’ll have our own food, we will not be ruled by people from elsewhere, but if we do not have food, then those with food will come and rule over us, for us it will just be to work for them,” Kapikara expressed.
Meanwhile, Asser Haitewa Siranda, the owner of Tumbu Tumbu Garden at Nkurenkuru, who also serves as the chairperson of the Association of the Horticulture Producers in the region was awarded as the most improved small-scale horticulture producer.
He walked away with a N$2 500 voucher from the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA).
Siranda was equally happy about the award and grateful to the organiser for motivating them through this gesture.
AMTA’s northeastern regions’ operational manager Lydia Likando said the agency was honoured to present the most improved small-scale horticulture producer award, saying that it represents growth and self-sustainability.
“AMTA is determined to fulfil its mandate as entrusted by the government of the Republic of Namibia. This includes working closely with our farmers for better nationhood and addressing the nation’s food insecurity by linking producers to both domestic and international markets,” Likando said.
She added that it is the agency’s further commitment to serve local producers in a manner that challenges them to learn and achieve the utmost while supporting and empowering them.
On their part, Agribank encouraged other producers in the region to learn from the two latest recipients of the awards and encouraged regional councillors to copy from the governor and go into the communities to encourage farmers.