RUNDU – The management of Sikondo Green Scheme has expressed gratitude for the way in which the agriculture ministry has invested in the green schemes over the past two years. Maxwell Nghidinua, the green scheme manager, made the statement following the visit by President Nangolo Mbumba and minister of agriculture Calle Schlettwein to the green...
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Mbumba: We have capacity to produce own food … laments high imports
SHADIKONGORO – Impressed by the production capacity, technology and operational efficiency at the Shadikongoro irrigation project, President Nangolo Mbumba is convinced that Namibia has no reason to import basic foods at such a high rate. He made this observation during his recent visit to government’sShadikongoro irrigation project in the Mukwe constituency, Kavango East region. “We...
Govt to establish agro-processing plants countrywide
Government, through the agriculture ministry, will establish small-scale agricultural processing facilities in all 14 regions of the country, line minister Calle Schlettwein recently announced. This was shared during the launch of the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-Food Sector (STAS) and the signing of the Namibian Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Compact in...
Farmers’ Kraal with Erastus Ngaruka – The importance of enabling food self-sufficiency
To some, food self-sufficiency and food security may seem to be the same. However, these are two different phrases, with food self-sufficiency being an enabler of food security. Food self-sufficiency refers to the reliance on own production to meet or satisfy daily food consumption, rather than purchasing or importing from elsewhere. Moreover, food self-sufficiency is...
Muremi: Farmers face production challenges
Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) president Adolf Muremi says farmers cannot achieve production efficiency due to production, distribution, access and climate change challenges. Speaking at the recent launch of the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agriculture Sector (STAS), he said the challenges include bush encroachment, which reduces grazing capacity and limits underground water. Further...
Bank Windhoek’s Agri Series to tackle drought impact
The 5th edition of the Bank Windhoek Agriculture Series will take place tomorrow, and will see key agriculture experts highlighting new growth areas, presenting a working formula for the export basket’s productivity, competitiveness, expansion and diversification. This year’s edition, which will be held under the theme “Cultivating change: Strategies for a Resilient Agricultural Future”, will...
Schlettwein: Agri sector grossly underfunded
– High electricity costs bemoaned – Market access needed – Calls for more govt funding For Namibia’s agricultural sector to reach its full potential, the country will have to address output barriers such as the high cost of electricity, lack of access to markets, and reliable, affordable water supply as well as general...
Farmers’ Kraal with Hanks Saisai – Developing a health programme for your poultry business
The success of any poultry production enterprise is significantly influenced by the health measures implemented by the farmer to ensure the continual safety of the bird enterprise. Many times, farmers without a health programme expose their ventures to problems such as bird ailments, mortality and retarded or stunted growth. Developing a simple, yet effective health...
Ovambanderu garden tackles hunger in Omaheke
Zebaldt Ngaruka OKOVIMBURU – A community garden in Epukiro, in Omaheke region, which is under the patronage of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority (OTA), is helping to ward off food insecurity and malnutrition in the constituency as well as the entire region. Omaheke, which is one of the regions battling malnutrition and hunger, has embarked on...
Revised resettlement criteria to be implemented … corridor farmers, marginalised a priority
The national resettlement criteria, whose revision is almost complete and will soon be implemented, aims to prioritise the plight of generational farmworkers, address overcrowding in resettlement farms, and the overall productivity of government farms. The indispensable piece of policy development within the overall reviewed National Resettlement Policy, is being tailored in such a way that...