Windhoek
During the Livestock Producers Orgnisation Congress it was clear that Namibia has local skills with regard to the theme of the LPO Congress, namely “Smart Farming”.
With speakers such as Hendrik Botha (increase in production), Peter Zensi (herd management), Bertus Kruger (rangeland management) and Emil Jung (financial management) it was clear that Namibia has many experts with regard to specific aspects of smart farming.
In his introduction Jaco Hanekom of the NAU office presented a production cost index which shows that cattle farmers will have to farm 7% more effectively annually and sheep farmers 2% in order to break even. With the limitation of vertical expansion due to land reform, farmers will have to farm more effectively through smart farming in order to reach this objective. If farmers do not keep proper records, it will be difficult to determine the condition of the farming. Farmers were thus encouraged to take part in the AgriStat program of the NAU.
The increase of carrying capacity through de-bushing (Hendrik Botha) is one of the most important points of which Namibian farmers have to take note in order to reach the above objective. Regarding record keeping, a lot can be learned from the other experts which were speakers at the Congress. Guest speaker Dr Jasper Coetzee also has shown clearly which technology is available and can be used in sheep and cattle herds in order to apply smart farming.