The Ongombe Farmers’ Association – one of the oldest bodies representing the interests of farmers at the communal level – keeps going strong amid changing economic times and harsh climatic conditions that continue to impact farming.
The association, whose apt identity of ‘Ongombe’ translates to cow or cattle in English, was initially formed to promote just that – the interest of mostly cattle farmers in the Okamatapati area of the Otjozondjupa region. As most farmers diversified into keeping small stock and others ventured into crop farming, the association grew to include them too.
Ongombe was formed on 13 April 1983 by a group of farmers from the Okamatapati area and adjacent areas of Otjituuo, Okakarara and Okondjatu in response to various hardships facing communal farmers at the time.
Unfair prices for livestock of communal farmers, the absence of regional agricultural shows to showcase farmers’ potential and a need to speak with one voice quickly saw the idea for Ongombe developing.
The newly elected secretary general of the Ongombe Farmers’ Association Vezuva Mbapaha told AgriToday that market conditions for farmers were skewed against them despite farmers providing their livestock in large numbers for marketing. In most cases, such animals hardly fetched good prices.
“Farmers came together and the idea for Ongombe gained steam. From a single idea by farmer Ben Mbai and others, it soon became apparent that the forming of Ongombe was inevitable and for a good cause,” he said.
Prominent farmers from in and around the Okamatapati communal area such as George Kaapehi, Albert Tjihero and Fritz Ngarangombe – who introduced crop farming aspects to the association – were among the founders of Ongombe along with Mbai. Others include Alfons Zatjirua and Theo Kamberipa, amongst others.
The association currently boasts a membership of 250 communal farmers mainly from the Okamatapati area. Amongst them, 30 are women farmers in charge of their own farming enterprises.
“At Ongombe’s formation, there were no auctions in the Okamatapati communal area, nor were there any agricultural shows in the area. Today, all these events are on the annual calendar; in fact, we just had the 36th agriculture show under Ongombe last year,” Mbapaha said.
Chris Katjitundu, Ongombe Farmers’ Association chairperson, urged farmers to avoid division of any sort that could harm their prospects of benefiting from bodies such as farmers’ associations and relevant training offered under such associations.
He said often people are focused on who is in leadership and the flaws of such leaders instead of passing on opportunities that would be beneficial to their farming operations.
“Ongombe will continue representing and assisting all its members and the general communal farming community’s interests. We all need to grab these opportunities with both hands, regardless of political affiliation or otherwise,” said Katjitundu.
Mbapaha, on the other hand, said Ongombe will work hard on its mission to fully cater to farmers. At the top of their priority list is improving prices paid for livestock at communal auctions and also doing away with animal permits to make way for auctions in communal areas.
“These are among the priorities that we are working on currently. Overall, we want an environment where farmers enjoy the real benefits of the sale of their livestock. We want them to be rewarded for the hard work and preparation they carry out on the livestock,” he said.
The rest of the newly elected Ongombe Farmers’ Association executives are vice chairperson Edward Tjombongoro Mutjavikua; deputy secretary general Sesiky Tjirondero; treasurer Reino Tjomookara; deputy treasurer Lionel Katjitundu; organiser Fares Tjamuaha; marketing coordinator Sebulon Tjiuoro and show coordinator Kaveere Komomungondo.
CAPTION: New broom…The new executive committee of the Ongombe Farmers’ Association.
Photo: Contributed