AGRA PROVISION PREPARES FARMERS FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
Published: 01 Feb 2017

Agra ProVision kick started the year hosting training courses to empower farmers. From 24 – 27 January 2017, Agra ProVision trained 10 farmers through the Rangeland Management training course. The training was well attended by both upcoming and established farmers.

The four day training programme comprised of the following topics: understanding grass, how it grows and how it responds to drought and utilisation impacts; understanding rangeland condition and how to monitor changes over time; determining fodder availability and adjusting livestock numbers to available fodder resources. At the end of the course, participants were empowered to develop their own rangeland management plan; making provision for adequate utilisation and recovery periods.

Bertus Kruger, Agra ProVision’s Technical Advisor for Rangeland Management said the training was offered at the right time, as rangeland is the first step to livestock production. “Livestock farming can only be sustainable if there is sufficient grass/browse resources. The training course therefore comes at the right time to prepare and educate farmers on the fundamentals of rangeland management.” he explained.

The training was concluded with a practical session facilitated by Frank Wittneben, Agra ProVision’s Technical Advisor for Livestock Production and Angelina Kanduvarisa, Agra ProVision’s Researcher. During this session, participants employed a scientific approach based on collecting samples and using this data to calculate forage availability. Samples account for the composition of the grass sward, which is subdivided into perennial grasses, annual grasses and Aristida type of grasses. Furthermore, the process is instrumental to monitoring veld condition. Wittneben said, “Aristida grasses are usually not quantified, as these are hardly utilised by livestock. 

Annual grasses are nutritious and palatable, but they only last for a few months before they disintegrate if not grazed by the middle of the dry season. Perennial grasses on the other hand constitute the main fodder reserve with the potential to last throughout the dry season.”

Participants valued the content and timing of the training. The sessions were a combination of both theory and practical sessions, giving participants the necessary all-round knowledge, skills and expertise. At the end of the training course, participants were able to develop rangeland management plans that will guide them to implement planned grazing management on their farms.

Agra ProVision continues to empower and educate stakeholders in the agriculture sector to improve on the productivity of their land. The next Rangeland Management training course will be held from 28 – 31 March 2017 in Windhoek. 

For more detailed information on training courses offered by Agra ProVision, kindly contact Kaarina Iita at (061) 290 9208 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or SMS training and your query to 40404.