Zebaldt Ngaruka 

Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) chairperson Vetuundja Kazapua has bemoaned the lack of participation of the country’s leading financial institutions in the country’s agricultural activities, saying it is a concern that needs urgent redressing.

Kazapua raised this worrying trend during the opening ceremony of the 6th Otjombinde Agricultural Show in Tallismanus, Omaheke region, on Friday. 

“About 80% of our farmers use banks for daily financial transactions and other services. Banks are benefitting from these transactions. They are discriminative when it comes to allocating and advancing loans to support communal farming activities of any nature. This needs to stop and something needs to be done about it,” said Kazapua.

He, however, expressed great satisfaction with the involvement of youth at such important events that are geared towards information sharing, food production and exchange of critical industry skills. 

“These platforms have created a number of temporary jobs for our youth. I, therefore, urge our youth to proudly safeguard this investment and grab these golden opportunities to transform their livelihoods. There is indeed a need to invest in rural farming in order to find meaningful economic opportunities and appreciate agriculture as a prestigious profession,” he said.

Kazapua called for farmers associations and cooperatives as well as related bodies to embrace the principles of effective governance and to serve farmers with diligence, accountability, honesty and confidence.

On behalf of the NNFU, he pledged N$3 000 to the Otjombinde Agricultural Show society. 

– zngaruka@yahoo.com