Best grain growers awarded
During the Katima Trade and Agricultural Fair 2013 held between 5 and 10 August, the best grain farmers were awarded with trophies and certificates by the Deputy Chair of the Namibian Agronomic Board, Ms Sirkka Iileka.
These awards are for maize farmers growing dry-land crop, i.e. depending on rainfall only with zero irrigation. The awards are coordinated by the Namibian Agronomic Board.
During the same ceremony, the Mahangu Regional Winners were also announced. The Zambezi Regional Champion Mahangu Farmer title goes to a producer who cultivates 5 to 10 hectares of mahangu and was this year awarded to Mrs Mavis Kasungo. The Caprivi Regional Grand Champion Mahangu Farmer cultivates more than 10 hectares and was this year awarded to Mr Kristof Kasuka.
Earlier in the year, finalists amongst white maize and mahangu producers in the Zambezi Region were selected by a committee that includes representatives of the Namibian Agronomic Board, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, the Likwama Farmers Union and the Agronomy Producers Association.
The finalists were visited on their farms and assessments of their operations were carried out. This includes, amongst others, the extent to which producers manage their farms to maximise their yield.
According to Ms Antoinette Venter, Administrative Manager of the Namibian Agronomic Board, the opportunity for the Board during such assessment visits is that Mr Hannes Grobbelaar, who is a commercial farmer, a Board member and representative of the Agronomy Producers Association, has the opportunity to make valuable contributions by way of advising the small scale farmers on issues such as production and planting methods.
