Land reform conference
The Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) this week held a Land Reform Conference on November 20 & 21, 2006. The aim of the conference was to get public opinions about land reform in Namibia. Participants at the conference were inter alia the Ministry of Lands, NNFU, NAU and various other civil organisations. Dr Shivute, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Lands opened the conference on behalf of the Ministry. She mentioned that the Ministry of Lands already purchased 201 farms and that currently few farms are in the market who comply with the requirements of the Ministry to resettle people. The farms which are in the market are often bushy, mountainous or the infrastructure is dilapidated. She also mentioned that the Ministry plans to develop 600 small scale farms of which a large part is in the communal areas. Furthermore she mentioned that land reform is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Lands but that other sectors also have a responsibility.
The presentation of the NAU mainly concentrated on the contributions already made by the NAU regarding land reform. The NAU also introduced the latest statistics which indicate that about 5,8 million ha land in the commercial area has already been transferred. Furthermore the NAU made proposals about the removal of limited factors which lead to the unwillingness of farmers to offer their land. The NAU also made proposals for the creation of criteria should land be expropriated.
The workshop identified key success areas for land reform in Namibia; the following being considered the most important: post-settlement support, policy harmonization, a multi-stakeholder approach, clear criteria in beneficiary selection, transparency in criteria of land identification, quantifying the real demand for land as well as setting clear targets as to when the process would be complete. In addition the important role of land reform in communal areas was reiterated. This workshop gave valuable background information for a nation-wide census on land reform to be conducted in 2007.
NAU meets SADC land reform facility
A delegation from the SADC land reform facility, accompanied by the MLR, visited the NAU (the President and Manager R&D) this week. The facility, which is being established with its offices in Gaborone, aims to offer capacity building, promote information sharing as well as disseminating policy recommendations, all pertaining to land reform, at the regional level. Consultative meetings with key institutions such as the NAU are at present being held throughout the region to solicit information and ideas regarding possible interventions. The NAU’s views and positions were shared, and future collaboration agreed.
Visit to the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry
A delegation of the Joint Presidency Committee (JPC) which represents the two agricultural unions, visited the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr Nicky Iyambo on November 21, 2006. The aim of the visit was to inform the Minister about the latest initiatives regarding the accommodating of producers in organised agriculture. This includes a consultation which is being done by Dr Mariana Niehaus, a specialist in organisational development as well as a visit to France during the week November 24 to December 3, 2006 by representatives from the NAU and NNFU. This visit is sponsored by the French government. Other matters discussed with the Minister were the viewpoint of producers regarding value adding in die meat industry as well as the producers’ concern about the termination of the Cotonou agreement and what will be put in the place of this agreement.
Value adding workshop
A workshop about value adding in the meat industry was held yesterday and today (November 23 and 24, 2006) at Otjiwarongo under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The aim of the workshop is to again confirm the proposals which the meat industry made during a previous workshop to Cabinet by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Representatives of the Meat Board, Agricultural Unions, Abattoir Association, livestock agents and exporters as well as officiasl of the Ministries of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and Trade and Industry attended the workshop. The final recommendations of this workshop will be published in the next newsletter. These recommendations include inter alia proposals about the export of sheep, weaners and goats.
Namib Mills Information day
The annual informationday was held on Thursday, 23 November at Namib Mills, Otavi. The subject for the day investigated the possibility of genetically manipulated organism (GMO’s) with regard to wheat products in Namibia. Strong arguments were alleged in favour and against the planting of GMO crops. In spite of seed companies’ (Monsanto and Pioneer) statements that GMO crops made available to markets are repeatedly tested for safety for the use of humans as well as the environment, Mr Eggert gave proof that scientific data (tests on rats) showed a negative influence of GMO food on the digestive system as well as other organs in the body. The other point of concern is the pollination of non-GMO crops in the vicinity and the influencing of previous GMO-free areas. Mr E Thomas of the Ministry of Education gave feedback about the regulation and legislation regarding bio-technology safety aspects in Namibia.
The APA and NAU would like to thank the sponsor, Namib Mills, for a successful opportunity and the smooth arrangements for the day.
Number of NAU members
During the past EC meeting it was noted that even though numerous farms have been transferred for land reform purposes already, the number of NAU members stayed constant and even increased slightly.
Exemption for land tax: Farmers whose farms were destroyed by natural disasters
Members whose farms were destroyed 50% and more by any natural disasters are requested to report this to the office. The NAU will try and get exemption on land tax for the following fiscal year for these members.
Osire refugee camp
A meeting was held between representatives from the Osire, Hochfeld, Imkerhof FA’s, the NAU regional representative of the Otjiwarongo region and Inspector Naruseb from the Windhoek Police on October 23, 2006 at Otjiwarongo. All problems around the Osire camp were discussed and the Police promised to look for solutions. NAU members are requested NOT to employ refugees.
We say thank you
The Wilhelmstal-Okasise Farmers Association and surrounding Otjimbingwe farmers would like to thank everybody who helped during the recent veld fires in the Karibib Otjimbingwe vicinity. We would especially like to thank the Defense Force – airbase at Karibib for their fast and active action. The farmers feel good if they get support from government side.
Opportunity for practical training in Germany
The firm “Maschinenring und Betriebshilfsdienst Alt- Wettiner- Land e.V.” offers an opportunity for 4 agricultural students (agronomy) to do practical training for three months in Sachsen, Germany. The period will most probably be from end of August to end of November 2007. Various matters will still have to be cleared (medical insurance, etc) but the conditions for this practical training are that students –
·must speak and understand German
·be prepared to learn
·have good manners and discipline