Published May 14, 2012 08:12
The Aroab Farmers’ Association, hosts of the 2012 Meatco National Braai Competition, recently invited the media to Aroab to promote their region and the upcoming braai event which will take place on 30 and 31 March 2012 at the Keetmanshoop Show grounds.
As part of the official program and build-up to the Meatco National Braai competition, the hosting Farmers’ Association (FA) is given the opportunity to receive members of the media in their region to promote their FA as well as the area and town in which they operate. It is an opportunity for the Farmers’ Association to share their views on the opportunities and challenges in their operating environment, to create awareness and to spark interest in the area in which they farm.
The Aroab FA pulled out all the stops when they took the media members to a stunning setting amongst quiver trees in front of a limestone and sandstone rock chasm, overlooking the tufts of grass that make the region so well suited for small stock production.
The Chairperson of the Aroab FA, Mr. Willem Steenkamp, welcomed the media and thanked them for making the effort to be there, as Aroab is remotely located in the South Eastern part of Namibia. His welcome was followed by Mr. Willem Kotze also of the Aroab FA who shared a brief history of Aroab (//Aro!ab), the Aroab FA as well as gave an overview of projects in the area.
According to Mr. Kotze, the main challenges they face with regards to agriculture, is that farming development and maintenance is not subsidized as in developed countries, education and training for young commercial farmers as well as farm workers in the area is non-existent; and that prices for meat is subject to Government interference and thus not aligned to free market principles and the prevalent market forces.