Communal farmer Tjivii Tjombe has encouraged farmers to make use of animal showcase events for the optimal marketing of their products.
He said many farmers neglect the marketing of their livestock and therefore become unknown, which in the long run affects their farming operations.
Tjombe, who had been previously featured on AgriToday, farms with the Van Rooy sheep on communal land in the Ovitoto area, where his name has become synonymous with the breed.
He said such events create a platform where farmers from all parts of the country come together to participate by interacting in activities that build their local economy, while showcasing the different products and the different breeds of animals.
“Shows bring people with different expertise together to share knowledge and lessons learnt. Livestock is the main key of any event, whether it is an Expo or Trade Fair because it brings more people to the event,” he added. The farmer noted that showcases were born from the idea of bringing the community together, while promoting trade opportunities and networking opportunities for SMEs.
He, however, urged those staging such events to make sure that their events adhere to professional standards so as to encourage more farmers to take their livestock to such events.
“The organisers must have a bigger and better showcases that are remarkable to the breeders (farmers) because the number of showcases increase every day. So, once you fail, then you automatically lose the value of your event. The event must benefit all parties and not just the organisers”.
Tjombe has been one of the organisers of the annual Omatako Expo hosted in Okandjira, which he describes as growing every year that it is hosted.
He has participated and scooped various accolades in his breed of choice at various show events in places such as Otjombinde, Okondjatu and his native Ovitoto area, amongst others.