Joyce Kamwanga

RUNDU – A comprehensive strategy to restore the Rundu Agricultural Technology Centre (ATC) to full operation is underway, promising a new era of technical support and food security for farmers in the Kavango East region.

Last Wednesday, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR), met with local farmers and green scheme representatives at the ATC to outline a roadmap for the facility’s revival. 

The move comes at a critical time as Namibia grapples with climate change, recurring droughts and a heavy reliance on imported food products.

Deputy director Ben Haraseb emphasised that the centre must be repositioned to serve as a backbone for communal farmers and government green schemes. 

While the ATC currently possesses significant infrastructure and machinery, Haraseb noted that it requires strategic technical upgrades and better resource deployment to meet the community’s needs.

“The revival of the ATC will make things easier,” Haraseb stated, noting that a functional centre is vital for local agricultural independence.Originally inaugurated in 2015 as the first of its kind in Namibia, the Rundu ATC was designed to assemble, repair and maintain essential farming equipment. 

However, years of declining operations left many small-scale producers, particularly mahangu farmers, struggling to find affordable spare parts or timely maintenance for their machinery. 

This decline has directly hindered productivity and the ability of farmers to capitalise on seasonal rainfall.

Maxwell Nghidinwa, acting manager for the Sikondo Village Green Scheme, highlighted that the facility already stocks many universal spare parts that could provide immediate relief to local tractor owners. 

The long-term vision is to transform the centre into a comprehensive public support hub providing specialised repairs and technical assistance.

Stakeholders are optimistic that a fully operational ATC will act as a catalyst for growth in Kavango East. 

By providing reliable mechanical support, the centre aims to help farmers increase yields, improve efficiency and build resilience against future food insecurity.

*Joyce Kamwanga is an information officer intern at Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in the Kavango East region.