Quo vadis, swakara?
Swakara fur which comes from the arid regions of Namibia, is amongst designers’ favourite choice of material for garments and accessories. Its outstanding performance at international auctions time and again prove that swakara remains worthy of being called Namibia’s “Black Diamonds.”
The swakara industry provides communities with essential income and contributes to the GDP of the country. Production is in harmony with fragile ecosystems and swakara therefore represents a sustainable resource that offers improved livelihoods to farmers and communities in various regions of Namibia. Rearing animals specifically for their fur skin qualities means that swakara has a great ethical responsibility, which it takes seriously. Animal welfare is strictly regulated by the Swakara Board of Namibia’s Code of Practice, a set of internationally-recognised ethical standards that are enforced by law. Swakara is certified Origin Assured™ by the International Fur Federation (IFF), a further guarantee that these important standards are met.
Swakara is a high quality eco-fur, highly regarded as a long-term investment in terms of style and durability. Swakara is a robust sheep breed, able to thrive despite the dry desert conditions in the southern parts of Namibia. In some parts of the country nature is so rough that no other livestock or crop can be cultivated. In that sense swakara is the golden story of Namibia engaging large parts of the rural communities, providing both employment and food. Because contrary to what many believe all parts of the Swakara sheep are used and nothing goes to waste. In addition to fur, swakara sheep provide meat, milk, wool and leather to the rural communities.
Where to from here?
During an IFF meeting held this year it became clear that with fashion trend developments, fur is now more prominent with designers on catwalks than ever before. The future looks bright! Raimar von Hase, Chairperson of the Swakara (Karakul) Board of Namibia observed on the developments in the fur industry during the year: “The swakara fur is a globally sought-after item and therefore is currently under pressure. Although there are some challenges, swakara remains a luxury fashion product. As a high-end niche product, there is a need for market and product diversification. This will enable us to pursue new market segments for the high-middle income earner.” He concluded: “In order to seek new markets, there is a need for production of more swakara pelts to satisfy the market demand.”
Originally from Central Asia since 1400 BC, the unique Persian lamb was brought to Namibia some 110 years ago. Ever since it has been bred in the north-west and south-west of Namibia, where highly skilled Namibian producers have developed farming techniques that involve specialised breeding standards and conditions and genetic selection. Today, swakara fur is significantly different to that from Central Asia. The excellent standard of pelts produced in Namibia can be found nowhere else in the world, making the swakara brand and pelts some of the most coveted fur in the world. The swakara production system is unique; it embraces all producers equally; regardless whether they are farming on communal and commercial areas. It is the quality of pelts produced that counts, and not the quantity. Even if a producer produces only five pelts annually, the efforts are acknowledged.
The swakara industry is growing and it’s a very sustainable industry that not only offers the producers a benefit. It provides job opportunities for the communities. The breed of sheep is easy to farm with as it can survive Namibia’s harsh arid conditions. Because the fur is such a sought after product, it is rather easy to market and sell. The growth prospects look good, but only if the ‘best practises’ of swakara are further developed and each producer adheres to them. Through education, workshops and sharing of information the future of swakara can and will be guaranteed.
Swakara needs to continue to forge ahead and blaze a trail for Namibian products internationally. It can do so by marketing the sought after product in a focussed manner at various platforms to stimulate local and international interest and increased production. Strategies are being put in place to ensure that the pelts sold at the international auction are increased:
• Make more breeding material available at affordable prices. This can be achieved by breeding swakara on irrigated pastures;
• the Swakara Support Scheme by the Government of the Republic of Namibia enables upcoming producers to buy swakara at subsidised prices. This is a great way to stimulate young ‘entrepreneur’ farmers to take up this type of farming;
• focus more attention to the fertility of the sheep, to ensure that there’s a stable growth of a healthy sheep flock; and
• considering accelerated reproduction alternatives, such as embryo transfer to surrogate sheep, and/or artificial insemination.
One of the major drivers for the industry is to grow sustainably: It does this by re-investing in local communities, who see the benefit of swakara sheep farming as their incomes and job-security increases. Training emerging producers all over the country becomes essential to build capacity that complements increased production of swakara, thereby developing a sustainable cycle. Research needs to continue into the swakara sheep and how gene-mapping of the sheep can further be used to improve the quality of the fur skin. This in turn will increase the number of high quality pelts in the future for use in the fashion industry. All these activities, including mentoring services are offered by Agra ProVision with support from the Swakara Board. Together, we plough back in communities to ensure that the industry secures its right place in the future.
All aspects considered, swakara is very well-positioned and ‘Quo vadis’ is something to look forward to. Agra supported and advocated swakara pelt production as a viable alternative farming practice for more than 30 years, presented training to producers to improve the quality and quantity of pelts, professionally sorted the pelts at the pelt centre and represented Namibian producers at international platforms such as fur auctions, trade forums and fashion and design exhibitions. The swakara industry deserves all the support it can get as it brings in revenue to the country and improves the quality of lives of many Namibians. A national, concerted effort is required to retain the importance of this industry as strategic, as declared by the Namibian Government in 2010.
• This article is a contribution from Agra ProVision.
The swakara industry provides communities with essential income and contributes to the GDP of the country. Production is in harmony with fragile ecosystems and swakara therefore represents a sustainable resource that offers improved livelihoods to farmers and communities in various regions of Namibia. Rearing animals specifically for their fur skin qualities means that swakara has a great ethical responsibility, which it takes seriously. Animal welfare is strictly regulated by the Swakara Board of Namibia’s Code of Practice, a set of internationally-recognised ethical standards that are enforced by law. Swakara is certified Origin Assured™ by the International Fur Federation (IFF), a further guarantee that these important standards are met.
Swakara is a high quality eco-fur, highly regarded as a long-term investment in terms of style and durability. Swakara is a robust sheep breed, able to thrive despite the dry desert conditions in the southern parts of Namibia. In some parts of the country nature is so rough that no other livestock or crop can be cultivated. In that sense swakara is the golden story of Namibia engaging large parts of the rural communities, providing both employment and food. Because contrary to what many believe all parts of the Swakara sheep are used and nothing goes to waste. In addition to fur, swakara sheep provide meat, milk, wool and leather to the rural communities.
Where to from here?
During an IFF meeting held this year it became clear that with fashion trend developments, fur is now more prominent with designers on catwalks than ever before. The future looks bright! Raimar von Hase, Chairperson of the Swakara (Karakul) Board of Namibia observed on the developments in the fur industry during the year: “The swakara fur is a globally sought-after item and therefore is currently under pressure. Although there are some challenges, swakara remains a luxury fashion product. As a high-end niche product, there is a need for market and product diversification. This will enable us to pursue new market segments for the high-middle income earner.” He concluded: “In order to seek new markets, there is a need for production of more swakara pelts to satisfy the market demand.”
Originally from Central Asia since 1400 BC, the unique Persian lamb was brought to Namibia some 110 years ago. Ever since it has been bred in the north-west and south-west of Namibia, where highly skilled Namibian producers have developed farming techniques that involve specialised breeding standards and conditions and genetic selection. Today, swakara fur is significantly different to that from Central Asia. The excellent standard of pelts produced in Namibia can be found nowhere else in the world, making the swakara brand and pelts some of the most coveted fur in the world. The swakara production system is unique; it embraces all producers equally; regardless whether they are farming on communal and commercial areas. It is the quality of pelts produced that counts, and not the quantity. Even if a producer produces only five pelts annually, the efforts are acknowledged.
The swakara industry is growing and it’s a very sustainable industry that not only offers the producers a benefit. It provides job opportunities for the communities. The breed of sheep is easy to farm with as it can survive Namibia’s harsh arid conditions. Because the fur is such a sought after product, it is rather easy to market and sell. The growth prospects look good, but only if the ‘best practises’ of swakara are further developed and each producer adheres to them. Through education, workshops and sharing of information the future of swakara can and will be guaranteed.
Swakara needs to continue to forge ahead and blaze a trail for Namibian products internationally. It can do so by marketing the sought after product in a focussed manner at various platforms to stimulate local and international interest and increased production. Strategies are being put in place to ensure that the pelts sold at the international auction are increased:
• Make more breeding material available at affordable prices. This can be achieved by breeding swakara on irrigated pastures;
• the Swakara Support Scheme by the Government of the Republic of Namibia enables upcoming producers to buy swakara at subsidised prices. This is a great way to stimulate young ‘entrepreneur’ farmers to take up this type of farming;
• focus more attention to the fertility of the sheep, to ensure that there’s a stable growth of a healthy sheep flock; and
• considering accelerated reproduction alternatives, such as embryo transfer to surrogate sheep, and/or artificial insemination.
One of the major drivers for the industry is to grow sustainably: It does this by re-investing in local communities, who see the benefit of swakara sheep farming as their incomes and job-security increases. Training emerging producers all over the country becomes essential to build capacity that complements increased production of swakara, thereby developing a sustainable cycle. Research needs to continue into the swakara sheep and how gene-mapping of the sheep can further be used to improve the quality of the fur skin. This in turn will increase the number of high quality pelts in the future for use in the fashion industry. All these activities, including mentoring services are offered by Agra ProVision with support from the Swakara Board. Together, we plough back in communities to ensure that the industry secures its right place in the future.
All aspects considered, swakara is very well-positioned and ‘Quo vadis’ is something to look forward to. Agra supported and advocated swakara pelt production as a viable alternative farming practice for more than 30 years, presented training to producers to improve the quality and quantity of pelts, professionally sorted the pelts at the pelt centre and represented Namibian producers at international platforms such as fur auctions, trade forums and fashion and design exhibitions. The swakara industry deserves all the support it can get as it brings in revenue to the country and improves the quality of lives of many Namibians. A national, concerted effort is required to retain the importance of this industry as strategic, as declared by the Namibian Government in 2010.
• This article is a contribution from Agra ProVision.
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