Namibia Workshop SANUMARC Univeristy of Namibia, Hentiesbay 3 - 5 June 2010

Presenter Biographies

THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF JATROPHA CURCAS AS LIVE FENCING

Small-scale farmers across Namibia face a bitter reality, where successful farming depends on a healthy environment, with rich soils and adequate water. In reality much of the environment is already depleted and farmers have the challenging but essential job of raising farm productivity, whilst protecting and enhancing the environment. The Action Plan of the Environment Initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD, June 2003) states, “Throughout Africa, poverty remains the main cause and consequence of environmental degradation and resource depletion...” Therefore, Africa’s small-scale farmers need sustainable farming practices that increase productivity and conserve natural resources.

Farm management techniques that integrate livestock and crops to the benefit of the environment such as Conservation Agriculture have been proven globally and locally as an effective mechanism to reverse this devastating situation.  To apply Conservation Agriculture effectively, farmers have to maintain and improve fences. At this stage farmers make use, when available, of the already depleted natural resources for fence material as the purchased material is unaffordable for most farmers. By planting live fences of Jatropha curcas, the situation can be reversed and they can generate an income by selling the oil rich nut. The forced practice of continuously farming land without the correct application and addition of fertilizers and associated deterioration of soil quality will be eased by applying these methodologies.

Poor soils also create massive sediment runoff that is enhanced by current annual floods, which are partly due to deforestation, leaving farmers in a hopeless situation of declining yields. Taking this vicious circle into consideration producing food in the northern regions of Namibia is becoming less sustainable over the long term enhancing poverty instead of alleviating poverty. With an estimated 67% of Namibia’s population surviving on subsistence farming the circumstances should be a high priority on the Namibian development list.

Calculations show that rural farmers could increase their income by as much as 60% per annum by planting Jatropha curcas fences in combination with Conservation Agriculture methodologies and simultaneously harvest sufficient product to ensure food for the year thus making rural farming sustainable for the future. It is recommended that a combined effort by agricultural experts from the private sector, government and small-scale farmers will be implemented, making use of each other’s knowledge to develop and implement ecologically sound farming techniques matched to the diversity of Namibia’s soils, crops, rainfall patterns and cropping systems.

Looking toward the future, whenever farmers increase harvests using sustainable farming practices, they will at once improve their own incomes and relieve pressure on the environment. Ending poverty, revitalising small-scale farming, and protecting the environment go hand-in-hand.

Presented by:

Horst commenced his career as maintenance engineer in the agro-food processing industry with emphasis on flour and flour related products. Over the past twenty years, as part of his career development, he obtained hands on experience in Small Medium Enterprise Management ranging from production management to general management, providing him with indispensable experience. To enhance this practical knowledge he obtained a two year management diploma by means of correspondence studies. The combination of practical experience and theoretical qualifications provide customers with indispensable essential expertise and information.