14 Sep 2017

Some farmers at Hainaveld farms have called for combination of indigenous knowledge and contemporary education in order to take livestock rearing and production to another level. 

They said education on farming techniques was critical to resuscitate interest in farming and improve production. 

They aired their views after a presentation by UNDP officials who briefed them about the on- going pilot project on holistic land and livestock management concept. The concept is piloted in three ranches in Hainaveld farms and it is one of the techniques under the Ngamiland Sustainable Land Management project which is implemented in the Ngamiland district. 

The project aims to mainstream sustainable land management in rangeland areas of Ngamiland District productive landscapes for improved livelihoods. 

However, farmers agreed that in the past cattle were well managed as they were kraaled and herded but today things had changed as animals were seen all over and farmers only collected them when they wanted to sell. 

They said uncontrolled animals had resulted in overgrazing, bare land and bush encroachment , among other problems. Farmers welcomed the concept noting that it would make a big difference and encouraged them to take their farming seriously. 

They said the concept would address challenges of bare land in their ranches. 

One farmer, Mr Kegopotse Dikobe explained that in the past there was proper management of livestock because they were profitable but since the outbreak of livestock diseases, farmers had lost interest as their cattle lost value. 

Earlier on, the UNDP project coordinator, Mr Innocent Magole informed farmers that the project was piloted after a benchmarking mission in Zimbabwe where they took some farmers from Hainaveld. 

He said the concept was not a new thing as it was practised in the past but concurred with farmers that today things had changed as farmers did not kraal nor herd their livestock as it was the case in the olden days hence they were not benefiting as expected. 

He said they had realised that holistic land and livestock management concept was ideal for Hainaveld farmers, as they wanted them to try new farming methods in order to take their farming to another level and have more economic gains.ENDS