The Omaheke Regional Farmers Union and associations have applauded the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation for its vital role in ensuring farming communities are kept abreast of information through their various platforms.

They shared the sentiment during an NBC stakeholders' engagement session at Gobabis.
 
Its chairperson, Deon Hekemo, pointed out the significance of cementing partnerships with the broadcaster.

“I think we need to establish a team of the leadership of the farmers' associations, which will have constant contact with NBC to disseminate information directly from the respective constituencies. That's my recommendation. I have the database of all our leaders, which I would like to share with NBC from here, and then we can go and work out how we will do it on either a weekly or fortnight basis. That will help. I think constant contact and programmes will work.”

 David Tjivava, Chairperson of the Otjombinde Farmers Association, urged the NBC to begin profiling farming communities across its various platforms.

“Our Namibian economy is carried by the subsistence farmers, and we are overseeing that so that it is not only the economy per se but also the coverage, as we don't know how people are making a living. We are looking over that component of the economy as our economy is supported and carried by the subsistence farmers rather than commercial entities. So that is something that NBC has to stand up now and go visit the communal areas, as little as we think that whole setup supports lives.”
  
NBC's Chief of News and Programming, Menesia Muinjo, pointed out the significance of the agricultural sector and hence the importance of engaging stakeholders such as farmers.

Muinjo also pleaded with the farming communities to play their role in the upcoming national beauty pageant competition that is set to be hosted in the region later in the year.

“We can agree on key topics to address. Mr. Peter Denk will monitor the news, and after the news segment, we will provide extended coverage to keep the message alive, as agriculture is a national priority. For those without reliable radios or the younger audience, they can access our platform later to catch up. According to the latest Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) census, 71% of the population are young people, so we have a responsibility to transfer farming knowledge and its importance to them. Madam Glynis Beukes-Kapa focuses on children, women, and youth, so we must find effective ways to tailor this message for these different groups.”

The discussions also touched on how to strengthen public awareness campaigns on livestock disease outbreaks that affect farmers, such as foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.