Fourie Nhoni-Shuuya
The Nyeka Yepumba Farmers Association on Monday inaugurated its new office at Etunda in the Onesi constituency.
This was after receiving a whopping N$3 million from the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) as a boost to cater for farming equipment.
The farmers association caters to farmers within the Onesi and Ruacana constituencies in the Omusati region, particularly individuals who are passionate about farming a variety of crops and vegetables and have a reliable water source such as a borehole.
Its chairperson Japhet Iitenge said the association is a proud recipient of the N$3 million that will give farmers an opportunity to work together with a common goal to secure sufficient food supply in the region.
“The idea is to support those who are passionate about farming, working together and want to add value to their communal land. Thus we, as a region, can promote food security while reducing unemployment and poverty in our communities,” he noted.
Onesi councillor Simon Festus thanked the environmental fund for the funds entrusted to the association and implored the association’s members to remain focused on their vision.
“We are grateful for the money received from the EIF Namibia and we trust and believe that the association will use the funds for the intended purpose and will not derail in catering for the initial needs of the project. In the same breath, I would like to encourage the leaders of the association to continue working hard and remain united, because it is only through unity that we as a region can grow.”
Andreas Shintama, the councillor of the Ruacana constituency, said the beginning is always difficult but what should matter is the vision the members see for themselves.
“Just like Vision 2030, our government has national development goals of which food security and poverty reduction is one of its goals. It is through agriculture that many communities can be self-sufficient and reliant. Covid-19 has taught us valuable lessons as Namibians; one of which is to not be too dependent on South Africa for our food supply. It is through projects such as these that we as government, institutions and communities need to be committed,” he said.
Farming in the Omusati region looks promising as farmers are now transitioning from growing predominantly mahangu, maize and sorghum to incorporating a variety of vegetables such as sweet potato, butternut, cabbage, onions and tomatoes on their communal land for resale purposes.
* Fourie Nhoni-Shuuya is an information officer for the MICT Omusati.