Mahangu and maize producers awarded

WINDHOEKFAITH SANKWASA Five grain producers from the Zambezi Region were awarded trophies and certificates as the best maize and mahangu farmers at an awards ceremony hosted by the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) during the 2013 Katima Mulilo Trade Fair. Francis Imenda was named the Zambezi Dry-land Maize Champion for 2013, with Alfred Mbeha and Stanley Tembwe as runners-up. Mavis Kasungo was awarded the title of Zambezi Regional Champion Mahangu Farmer. The title is awarded to a producer who cultivates 5 to 10 hectares of mahangu. Kristof Kasuka emerged as the Zambezi Regional Grand Champion Mahangu Farmer, a title that honours producers who cultivate more than 10 hectares. The finalists were selected by a committee of representatives of the Agronomic Board, the Agriculture Ministry, the Likwama Farmers' Union and the Agronomy Producers' Association (APA). The committee visited the finalists' farms to inspect their operations, including how they manage their farms to maximise their yield. According to NAB administrative manager Antoinette Venter, the assessment led by commercial farmer Hannes Grobbelaar was also aimed at advising the small-scale farmers on issues such as production and planting methods. “Such practices typically include introducing fertilisers to their farming practices and where possible how modern farming practices are incorporated into their production processes. “It is also for how financial management systems are used in the farming practice to assist the producer in achieving maximum yield and how they've introduced crop diversification. “All these improvements have the potential to aid the farmer in producing a surplus crop that can be sold and entered into the food supply chain, contributing to food security in Namibia,” said Venter. Venter added that the practical suggestions are normally applied during the next planting season by the small-scale farmers. During the ceremony, the deputy chairperson of the NAB, Sirkka Iileka, thanked the grain farmers in the Zambezi Region for their continuous hard work and for farming under such dry conditions. Iileka said the farmers' efforts contribute to the country's food supply.