{"id":17438,"date":"2022-04-22T14:00:52","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T14:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/young-farmer-cultivates-her-dreams"},"modified":"2022-04-22T14:14:13","modified_gmt":"2022-04-22T14:14:13","slug":"young-farmer-cultivates-her-dreams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/young-farmer-cultivates-her-dreams","title":{"rendered":"Young farmer cultivates her dreams"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>Having dabbled in hairdressing and selling clothes, Aina Imalwa has found her calling. Although farming can be a difficult undertaking, producing food to feed communities is the motivating factor that drives her every day.<\/p>\n

Aina the farmer (29), as her customers fondly call her, is proof of the valuable contribution women-led businesses make to the agricultural sector.<\/p>\n

Despite a lack of access to finance and gender stereotypes, Imalwa\u2019s agricultural business, situated at the Etunda irrigation project, is flourishing.<\/p>\n

Even though she describes farming as \u201ca tough job\u201d, the young small-scale farmer from Engombe village in the Oshana region is confident her passion for agriculture will see her achieve her dream of becoming a successful commercial farmer who can help others in her community.<\/p>\n

\u201cAgriculture is one of many industries young people can tap into, especially during these trying times of high unemployment and economic crisis,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Before she ventured into the agriculture sector, Imalwa was a hairdresser \u2013 and she also used to sell clothes door-to-door.<\/p>\n

\u201cSince I failed grade 12, I have always been working for myself and doing odd jobs. It was not easy at all,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In 2015, the wheels of luck turned when she was offered a training opportunity by Agribusdev to pursue farming.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I went for training for fours years at the Mashare Agricultural Development Institute in the Kavango East region, where I was groomed and taught everything about farming,\u201d<\/p>\n

she said, adding that since then, she developed a passion for agriculture.<\/p>\n

In 2020, Imalwa was allocated a plot in Etunda, where she now produces and supplies vegetables to supermarkets, small businesses and individuals.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat really attracted me to this field was the freedom that comes with it and also generating income, creating opportunities for myself and others. The unemployment rate in Namibia is very high. So, knowing that I will be part of the solution and not the problem was the motivation for me to pursue a career in agriculture,\u201d she observed.<\/p>\n

So far, she has employed her brother, who works for her on a full-time basis \u2013 and seasonally, she employs casual workers, depending on the type of task that needs completion.<\/p>\n

Imalwa wants more young people to take up jobs in the farming sector.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is that mindset that a lot of people have that farming is a man\u2019s job, which needs to change. Agriculture is a very versatile industry, and there are enough opportunities for everyone,\u201d she reasoned.<\/p>\n

An increasing number of women are studying agriculture, but that is not reflected in the workforce.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need partnerships and long-term commitment to bring more women into leadership roles in agriculture,\u201d stressed Imalwa.<\/p>\n

Challenges<\/b><\/p>\n

Like any person in business, she is faced with everyday challenges.<\/p>\n

Some of the obstacles she encounters include transport, natural disasters, seasonal changes and water shortages.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am still new in the business \u2013 and I still don\u2019t have a vehicle yet. Hiring transport now and then to transport my goods can thus be costly and challenging. Natural disasters such as floods and droughts are other problems that I have experienced, and I have lost a large number of my products due to it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

At most times, they are indeed at the mercy of the elements.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes a lot of strength and passion to start over after heavy rains, frost, veldfires or excessive heat had ruined your valuable produce \u2013 and only determination and hard work can carry you through,\u201d she continued. Earlier this month, Imalwa had about 6 000 heads of cabbages. However, she only managed to sell 2 000 \u2013 and the rest had gone to waste due to heavy rain.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was also a challenge, but we are slowly recovering,\u201d said the young farmer.<\/p>\n

Most of the work that goes into Imalwa\u2019s crop production is labour-intensive due to a lack of infrastructure and agricultural machinery.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt takes longer to complete tasks, which, in turn, delays production. Having a stable market is also a significant challenge, as I cannot always meet market demands.\u201d<\/p>\n

She, however, believes that as a young person, it is important to work hard and not wait on funding from government.<\/p>\n

In a few years\u2019 time, she wants to be a well-established commercial farmer, and would like to have developed a handful of other small-scale farmers through her work.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to work hard and grow my business beyond borders. I want to develop a fully-functional fresh produce market,\u201d enthused Imalwa.<\/p>\n

Agriculture is one of Namibia\u2019s most important sectors.<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Namibia<\/a> Follow Africa-Press<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. Having dabbled in hairdressing and selling clothes, Aina Imalwa has found her calling. Although farming can be a difficult undertaking, producing food to feed communities is the motivating factor that drives her every day. Aina the farmer (29), as her customers fondly call her, is proof of the valuable contribution women-led businesses […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":17437,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3,8,16],"tags":[234,236,233],"class_list":["post-17438","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-community","category-homepage-english","category-twitter","tag-africa-press","tag-africa-press-namibia","tag-namibia"],"yoast_head":"\nYoung farmer cultivates her dreams - Namibia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Having dabbled in hairdressing and selling clothes, Aina Imalwa has found her calling. 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