Julia Kamarenga
The Omaheke region with its vast agricultural potential, has the ability to significantly contribute to food security, economic growth and rural development, however, to unleash the full potential the region needs to embrace sustainable farming methods that goes hand in hand with conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.
This was pronounced by Ignatius Kariseb, the regional councillor for the Kalahari constituency at the opening of the seventh Omaheke Crop Farmers’ Day held at Blouberg under the theme, ‘Unlocking Crop Production Through Sustainable Farming’.
Known for livestock farming, the Omaheke region has in recent years been working towards diversifying to crop farming to improve productivity.
Efforts to introduce farmers to crop farming bore positive results with some farmers harvesting good yields from backyard gardens which they this far have consumed and made profits from the superfluous.
“We must invest in the education and empowerment of the next generation of farmers by equipping the young people with much needed skills, knowledge and technologies to ensure that the sector continues thriving beyond our time,” said Kariseb.
Kariseb further said there is a need not only to break down the silos that hinder progress and create fertile grounds for cooperation where everyone’s expertise is valued and mutually beneficially partnerships are forged but to inspire and mentor young people, encouraging them to consider farming as a noble profession that is both financially rewarding and environmentally friendly.
The annual event serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, advancing technologies and fostering partnerships that will ultimately unlock the full potential of crop production in the Omaheke region.
For a region that is known for livestock farming, it is essential in this era that farmers, policy makers, researchers and all stakeholders use platforms such as this to collaborate efforts and exchange knowledge on effective systems that will boost farming in the region and the nation at large.
The negative impacts of climate change such as water scarcity and soils experiencing dreadful conditions that threatens productivity, are a wake-up call for farmers to adopt sustainable farming techniques, like precision agriculture, organic farming, conservation agriculture and agroforestry to overcome the challenges.
Sustainable farming encompasses a holistic approach that considers the integration of diverse cropping systems, efficient water management, proper soil stewardship and promotion of diversity to enhance crop resilience to changing climates, reduce the use of harmful agrochemicals and promote long term productivity.
Dr Jorry Kaurivi expressed concern on the issue of public institutions importing goods such as powder milk, dried fruits and others while farmers are producing and thus urged the political will in the region to seek favourable interventions in terms of the local market.
Kaurivi further said with the current production capacity in the region, cases of deaths due to malnutrition should not be heard, nonetheless, it happens because there lacks coordination between parties.
Fabiola Katjiteo, a participant from Okomungondo in the Epukiro constituency, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying it is a great platform to share with skilled, knowledgeable farmers and resourceful officials.
The crop farmers’ day rotates around constituencies yearly and next year it is anticipated to be held early while farmers have enough produce.