ABOUT 11 farmers from the Kunene Region were trained in the intricacies of draught-animal power to teach others on the usage of animals to cultivate their fields.

Officials in the department of extension and engineering services in the Ministry of Agriculture conducted the two-week training at the Mashare Agricultural Institute in the Kavango Region recently.

According to the regional co-ordinator of the Draught Animal Power Acceleration Programme (DAPAP), Eliaser Ambata, the training was initiated to replace the use of tractors that have become too expensive, and to start using animal power to cultivate the lands.

He told Nampa that the 11 trained farmers would now act as trainers of other farmers in the Kunene Region.

The Agronomic Board of Namibia funded the training with the aim of helping farmers to improve their crop production, and to ensure better food security.

Ambata said it was not only farmers from the Kunene Region who were trained as trainers at Mashare, but also farmers from the Omaheke and the Otjozondjupa regions, which have a low crop production.

All trained farmers would be given implements, of which they have to pay 20 per cent of the cost.

The other 80 per cent would be paid by DAPAP, through the Ministry of Agriculture.

The implements include ploughs and cultivators.

Nampa

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