Windhoek — The initiative of a number of members of the Windhoek Farmers Association and the Krumhuk community has eventually led to the opening of the Agricultural Training Centre Krumhuk (ATC Krumhuk), located between Windhoek and Rehoboth.

The old and well-known Aris Hotel, 25 km south of Windhoek has been restructured into this centre where practical training will be given to especially farm workers who want to develop themselves to the level of farm managers.

The idea to restructure the hotel into a training centre originates from Ulf Voigts of Farm Krumhuk.

He and his team did the initial steps and were supported by Germany and USA donors to convert the former Aris Hotel to house classrooms and a hostel. The infrastructure also includes a cowshed and gardens.

The idea originated from the realisation that very few formally qualified farm workers offer their employment to the farms - and often those with qualifications are lured away by job offers in the city.

With new farmers emerging through the programs of land reform, the calls for knowledge and understanding of the processes that support a sustainable farming sector have increased significantly.

Again, graduates from existing training facilities like Unam and Polytechnic in general do not apply for jobs on the farms, leaving the farming sector with no skills flowing into it.

It was envisaged in the beginning that from mid-February, the first group of 25 students (minimum Grade 10, younger than 25 years) would start a three-month introductory course that gives a basic understanding and involves the students practically in the learning about the functioning of a healthy profitable farm.

The training centre makes provision for practical training in all aspects of farming, which includes animal production, milk production, horticulture, upkeep of machinery and tools and general housekeeping.

Minister of Education Nangolo Mbumba opened the centre.