The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) and Agra this week signed a co-operation agreement for a joint pilot training initiative for farm workers. While the CCF co-ordinates and presents the course, Agra will assist with funding and materials.

"Farm workers are intimately involved with the farming activity by executing daily tasks on a farm", says Birgit Hoffmann, senior marketing manager at Agra. "If workers have a better understanding of the farming system, they are able to assist the farmer pro-actively for improved output. It is common knowledge that it is important to manage farms and farmland for long term sustainability, integrating commercial farming motives with conservation issues", Hoffman said. Once farm workers understand the basic concepts of nature and livestock farming, they will not only become a more productive worker and increase economic contribution, but their self esteem would also be enhanced, enabling them to share knowledge and experience with the farm owner for improved output. As a responsible corporate citizen, Agra was proud to make a contribution in this area", Hoffmann added.

Dr Laurie Marker, director of the Cheetah Conservation Fund said the CCF welcomed the interest and joint venture with a local business. "This partnership is a great match, highlighting the link between conservation and economic goals. While farming may be considered mainly an economic activity, if applied properly conservation plays an important role in managing our resources to achieve conservation as well as economic goals. It is possible to protect our wildlife and still run the farm profitably", she said. The course is scheduled for 3 to 7 July at the CCF farm and aims to create a better understanding of and insight into livestock farming systems, its interaction with nature, and will thereby add value to farming.

The content of this first training effort includes herd management, animal husbandry, pasture management, animal nutrition, the farm veterinary cupboard, prevention and control of veld fires, parasite control, predator and livestock loss prevention, animal health, the livestock vaccination programme as well as selection, raising and training livestock guarding dogs. In terms of methodology, the training course will be very practical, including many practical presentation and demonstrations with extensive use of visual materials. Participants need not be able to read or write, but a good command of Afrikaans or English is required.

Agra is the largest multipurpose agricultural co-operative in the country with about 7000 Namibian shareholders. Founded in 1980, the company now has an annual turnover in excess of N$800 million and employs over 400 Namibians. Agra offers livestock marketing services as well as retail operations through an extensive network of branches throughout Namibia. With more than 70% of Namibia’s population directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, it is evident that Agra plays a major role in the agricultural sector.