OSHAKATI – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has allocated more than N$28 million to boost food security, enhance production and productivity, and build climate resilience among small-scale producers.

This was said by the ministry’s spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa on Monday during an oversight tour of programmes run under the ministry. These initiatives encompass key value chains including horticulture, poultry, dairy and small stock development programmes which are being implemented across all 14 regions of the country.

He said the Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme aims to provide approximately 1 000 small-scale producers with substantial subsidies on essential inputs. Under this programme, farmers can benefit from a 50% subsidy on seeds, 60% on fertilisers, 50% on pesticides and herbicides, and 65% on irrigation materials and shade nets.

“The programme additionally provides subsidised tillage services at N$500 per hectare for land preparation. To qualify, beneficiaries must be Namibian citizens with verified production capabilities, reliable water sources, and concrete production and marketing plans,” Nghipandulwa said.

The Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme, with a budget of N$5.04 million, targets 2 000 small-scale poultry producers nationwide, offering a 60% subsidy on production stock, 50% on medicines and feeds, and 65% on equipment, including incubators, housing materials, and processing equipment.

Nghipandulwa said the programme includes a significant capacity-building component, with N$840 000 allocated for training producers on poultry production and marketing.

Further, the Dairy Value Chain Development Scheme, which is being piloted in Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, Oshikoto, and Zambezi regions, focuses on 150 existing dairy producers to develop a modern, self-sustaining dairy industry.

“The programme provides a 60% subsidy on production stock, 50% on veterinary medicines and feeds, and 65% on machinery, equipment, and construction materials,” he added.

He noted that the maximum subsidy per beneficiary is N$200 000 for dairy cattle producers and N$100 000 for dairy goat producers.

Complementing these initiatives, Nghipandulwa said the Small Stock Distribution and Development Programme continues its revolving project that provides quality core breeding flocks to vulnerable households.

He stressed that each beneficiary receives 20 ewes and one ram to establish a sustainable means of income generation. – Nampa