Author: Otniel Hembapu (Otniel Hembapu )

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Omkhaisenra Taradi group makes great strides …progressive female farmers on a mission
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Omkhaisenra Taradi group makes great strides …progressive female farmers on a mission

The annual training session for members of the Omkhaisenra Taradi Group, a group of progressive and well-organised female farmers, was recently held at Farm /Aoxas in the Hardap region, where knowledge, skills and modern farming techniques were exchanged.  Established three years ago, the women farmers’ group caters for female farmers from all over Namibia.  The...

Namibia to strategically pursue rice production …N$314.1m imports in two years
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Namibia to strategically pursue rice production …N$314.1m imports in two years

Namibia is exploring strategic ways how to create stable, sustainable and self-reliant rice production value chains, which will help curb the country’s high import bill and bolster food security in the long run.  The country heavily relies on rice imports, as domestic production remains extremely low to negligible. Currently, rice cultivation takes place at Kalimbeza...

Agra partners SwiftVEE to elevate online auctions
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Agra partners SwiftVEE to elevate online auctions

Namibia’s leading agricultural enterprise Agra recently joined forces with SwiftVEE, Africa’s largest online livestock and game trading platform, to elevate and bring a new dimension to online livestock and game auctions.  The newly-formed partnership between Agra and SwiftVEE will merge the reliability and expertise of traditional livestock auctions with the scale and power of online...

NAB to invest N$250m in citrus sector expansion …aims to cut N$57.6m in annual imports 
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NAB to invest N$250m in citrus sector expansion …aims to cut N$57.6m in annual imports 

The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), in collaboration with industry stakeholders, hosted a strategic engagement to unlock the potential of the Namibian citrus industry and strengthen value chain development. During the engagement, NAB CEO Fidelis Mwazi announced that they have revised their vision and mission to make its operations more inclusive, agile and impactful.  Going forward,...

Nedbank’s agriculture bursaries to boost sector
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Nedbank’s agriculture bursaries to boost sector

Nedbank Namibia yesterday announced a sponsorship of N$560 000 towards the Nedbank Agra Agricultural Academy, which marked a significant step towards enhancing skills’ development and training in various agricultural disciplines.  The academy, managed by Agra ProVision, a subsidiary of Agra Limited, offers students the opportunity to pursue national certificates and diplomas in fields such as...

Farmers remain wary as cattle, sheep exports decline
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Farmers remain wary as cattle, sheep exports decline

The Namibian livestock sector has over the past two months recorded mixed results in its cattle and sheep exports, which saw the total marketing of cattle decreasing by 71.06% on a year-on-year basis, and total sheep marketing declining by 47.72%.  According to the latest trade statistics from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia,...

Land acquisition fund in shambles …misdirected funds, overstated financial reports 
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Land acquisition fund in shambles …misdirected funds, overstated financial reports 

Non-adherence to accounting protocols, misrepresented financial statements, misallocated funds and unauthorised claims worth millions were some of the key shortcomings flagged by Auditor General Junias Kandjeke in the Land Acquisition and Development Fund’s audit report of 2022/23. Kandjeke gave the Fund an adverse audit opinion due to its failure to submit a complete set of...

Selfless Katjirua immortalised 
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Selfless Katjirua immortalised 

OKAHANDJA – Donned in their traditional green, white and black colours, hundreds of Ovambanderu and other sympathisers from various parts of the country thronged the town of Okahandja over the weekend to pay their final respects to Gerson Kunomundu Katjirua. The revered senior traditional councillor of the Ovambanderu community and admired nation-builder was laid to...

Kalangula: Seven-seater permits problematic 
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Kalangula: Seven-seater permits problematic 

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) Member of Parliament Nelson Kalangula said proper and inclusive consultations were not carried out with the various public transport industry players before a decision to allow seven-seaters to obtain permits for long -distance operations was taken.  Kalangula is IPC’s shadow minister of works and transport.  He asked the country’s works...

Shitana wants equitable representation of artists 
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Shitana wants equitable representation of artists 

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) Member of Parliament Fredrick Shitana has called on government, through Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, to broaden the scope and list of artists hired to perform at various national events.  Shitana, a renowned traditional Afro-pop and Shambo artist, recently raised concern in the National Assembly that a selected group of artists and bands...