RUNDU – In an effort to safeguard Namibia’s plant health and ensure food security, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in partnership with the ministry of agriculture, recently launched the country’s first plant health clinic at Rundu in the Kavango East region. The clinic is at Rundu’s Kaisosi agriculture extension centre. FAO has invested about...
Agriculture
Hardap farmers urged to embrace subsidised services
The agriculture ministry’s extension officer based in the Hardap region, Fabian Boys, has encouraged the region’s communal and resettlement farmers to embrace government-subsidised support services to boost agricultural growth. Speaking to NBC News, Boys highlighted the Namibia Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project (NAMSIP), and urged the region’s small-scale farmers to take full advantage of...
Farmers’ Kraal with Hanks Saisai – Why you should register as a crop producer
When one is in production or aspires to venture into producing fresh produce like vegetables, fruits or cereal grains, often a key aspect is overlooked by many producers. One must register with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) as a producer of crop products. This has numerous benefits that are to the advantage of the farmer....
Irimari calls for reopening of Eloolo abattoir
OSHAKATI – Oshana governor Elia Irimari has called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) to reopen the Eloolo Abattoir at Oshakati. He made the call during the opening of the week-long MAWLRs Annual Work Plan and Management Workshop in Oshakati, Oshana region. The Oshakati Eloolo abattoir was reopened in 2020 after...
Namibia exploresMiddle East beef markets…northern farmers to benefit
The government, in collaboration with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN), has again embarked on a mission to unlock export opportunities for the country’s beef to the highly-lucrative Middle East markets. Delegations of senior officials from both the agriculture ministry and the LLPBN are in the Middle East, exploring further export opportunities...
Govt enlists trucks for drought relief distribution
RUNDU – The government has enlisted the services of private trucks in all 14 regions of the country to expedite the distribution of drought relief items. Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila stated this in the National Assembly recently, in response to Popular Democratic Movement member Diederik Vries, who asked what urgent interventions government has implemented since...
Farmers’ Kraal – Basics of planning, overcoming drought
The agricultural sector is fundamental to the sustenance of livelihoods in Namibia. However, it faces several challenges associated with climate change. The effects of climate change are evident, as Namibian farmers have endured recurring unfavourable rainfall seasons that present distinct conditions or events such as floods, droughts, pests, and disease outbreaks, amongst others. Drought conditions...
Talk to the Vet – How to identify, manage Pulpy kidney disease
Welcome to another exciting and informative edition of your favourite weekly column Talk to the Vet, where we discuss, share and dissect all issues related to animal healthcare. It is again that time of the year, and seasons have changed and cases of pulpy kidney and pneumonia in small stock (sheep and goats) are expected...
Pipeline replacement costs N$90 million … as infrastructure theft derails progress
OMUTHIYA/ONDANGWA – The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) is spending N$91 million for the Ondangwa-Omutsegwonime pipeline replacement project phase one, which stretches about 17 kilometres from Ondangwa to Oshali. It is expected to take 12 months to complete. According to a press statement issued by NamWater’s head of public relations and corporate communications Lot Ndamanomhata on...
N$4.5m approved for red line repair… foot-and-mouth disease in check
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) approved and allocated N$4.5 million towards the repair and maintenance of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, which is infamously known as the red line. The sum of N$4.5 million was approved at the LLPBN’s recent meeting, where it was resolved that the funds be transferred to the...