Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) is running a competition in the face of young people’s waning interest in organised agriculture.
According to the latest issue of the NAU newsletter released on Friday, many farmers’ associations are concerned about how the younger generation can be drawn into agricultural activities.
“Surveys conducted by the NAU indicate that the average age of the union’s membership either reflects that younger farmers are no longer involved in agriculture, or that they are not interested in organised agriculture,” the newsletter says. The union acknowledges that farming communities could thrive with the input of young people who are innovative.
“There are younger farmers who are eager to learn, but who can also share their ideas and suggestions with the older generation and be heard. What do these communities do differently? How do they engage the younger generation so that they can see and understand the value of organised agriculture?” the union asks.
The NAU, together with Cymot as a partner, decided to share the knowledge – and possibly also secrets – of the successful farmers’ associations and find out why there are communities with younger farmers as members.
“We hereby invite all our members to provide us with suggestions for encouraging and engaging the younger generation,” the newsletter reads.
The union says as agriculture provides 70% of Namibians with food and a livelihood, farmers should share ideas to entice the youth. Members whose suggestions are shared with all farmers’ associations will be entered into a draw, with attractive prizes sponsored by Cymot.
The first prize is a gift voucher of N$4 000, the second prize a gift voucher of N$2 000, and the third prize is a gift voucher worth N$1 000. The deadline for providing feedback to the NAU is 1 April. The winners will be announced in a follow-up newsletter, with a summary of proposals.
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