Within the land reform programme in Namibia, up to now about six million hectares of white-owned land has been re-allocated to previously disadvantaged Namibians. But emerging farmers in Namibia have a huge competency gap regarding crucial farming practices and technologies. The objective of the Emerging Commercial Farmers' Support Programme (ECFSP), initiated by the two Namibian Farmers Unions, is to promote agricultural education and assist emerging farmers in introducing improved farming technologies. The ECFSP is focusing on a variety of activities that include farmers' days, topic related short courses, development of producer manuals, institutional support and a very practical and hands-on mentoring programme.  A combination of these activities together is much more preferred over one or two specific ones.  It is also important to remember that, although capacity building is of the utmost importance, support packages should include other components like access to credit, conducive policy environment, maintenance of infra-structure and access to markets.

Bertus Kruger
Emerging Commercial Farmers' Support Programme
Windhoek, Namibia
bertus@agrinamibia.com.na