Oshakati
Minister of Health and Social Services Dr Bernard Haufiku has come out in support of a Chinese national, who is leasing a piece of mahangu (millet) field in Omusati Region.
A video by land activists that went viral and a story in New Era last week about Reverend Josef Shikuma of the Lutheran Church leasing out his mahangu field at Omakaku village, caused much consternational among some readers, who claim Chinese nationals are taking over all local industries.
Some complained that Shikuma’s field is located in a communal area and therefore they feel it cannot be leased.
During the commemoration of World Health Day, Dr Haufiku sprung to the defence of the Chinese farmer, saying foreign nationals are taking over agricultural land, as Namibians are not making productive use of their own natural resources.
“I see on social media that people are up in arms against the Chinese in Omusati… But I am asking why. What is wrong with a Chinese gardening in our country? If we are not making use of our own resources somebody else will,” Haufiku said.
Haufiku talked of Kavango East that is blessed with fertile land and water, but according to him, the potential of the land is underutilised.
“Yesterday I drove from Andara in Kavango – such a vast land, but it is not used. At the moment the river is overflowing, but all the water with plenty of fish is going away. We’re just fighting for squatters in the urban areas, when we can make use of our land and produce food,” Haufiku remarked.
He also urged Namibians to grow their own vegetables by establishing gardens at their homes, instead of consuming imported genetically modified food.
“I’m also urging that the food bank should be stocked up with at least 80 percent organic food. We should not allow GMOs to be dumped on us,” he warned.
He said homegrown food, including traditional food, is healthier than some of the food bought in retail shops. He said such healthy food can help in the fight against non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure, among others.
According to Haufiku, 95 percent of diabetes sufferers have Type Two Diabetes, which is preventable. Food and lack of physical activity are the major causes of Type Two Diabetes.