Karibib FA celebrated its 100th anniversary on Saturday, June 16, 2007. About 80 guests amongst which the German Ambassador to Namibia, Mr von Kittlitz, a representative of the Erongo Regional Council, the president of the NAU, Mr Raimar von Hase as well as representatives of the sponsors, Agra and Bank Windhoek, attended this showy function at the Klippenberg Country Lodge, Karibib.
Mr von Kittlitz who has a special interest in Namibian agriculture, made a comparison between farming in Namibia and farming in Europe. Even though there are numerous differences there are also numerous similarities. In both cases the requirements of the markets are playing an important role and the nature must be seen as partner in farming practices. The challenges in Namibia due to its climate are just bigger than in Europe. He is especially worried about bush encroachment in Namibia and encouraged farmers to make proposals on how bush can be used as an economic resource.
Mr Raimar von Hase, the president of the NAU used the Karibib FA as an example on how organised agriculture can survive the assaults of time and can still contribute towards agriculture in Namibia. He encouraged farmers to look at possible alternatives such as the karakul industry which once was a flourishing industry in the Karibib vicinity and currently again shows a revival. Regarding land reform he again encouraged farmers who want to discontinue farming for whatever reason to offer their farms to the governing in order to enable government to get the envisaged 15 million ha by 2020 by way of the willing seller – willing buyer mechanism for the land reform programme.
With respect towards other speakers, the highlight of the evening was Dr Herbert Schneider’s, currently chairman of Karibib FA, tales about the high and anticlimaxes which the Karibib FA experienced over the past 100 years. Dr Schneider did a comprehensive research about the FA history which has been compiled into a book with the title “Karibib Farmers Association and the history and cultural development of the Karibib district”. On a very humoristic way he told inter alia about the “gold rush” of 1888 as well as the attempts to farm with alternative products such as for example the Chinchilla. The book really is an interesting piece of research work and is available from Dr Schneider at Tel 064 550830 or 061 228909.