Lahja Nashuuta
The Khomas Regional Council has invested millions in water-related interventions and agricultural extension services in the last financial year, governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua has said.
She made the announcement on Monday while delivering the Khomas State of the Region Address (Sora).
She told the gathering that at least seven boreholes were drilled and successfully installed in the Dordabis area to the value of N$1.7 million during the 2023/2024 financial year (FY).
Emergency drilling is ongoing for 12 boreholes to the value of N$4.5 million in the Nauaspoort, Dordabis and Satanslocht areas.
“All these boreholes will be installed based on the water quality and required yield,” she said.
Further in what could be her last Sora with the current presidential term ending on 21 March 2025, the seasoned politician said her office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, will soon establish 10 water points in Windhoek Rural constituency, and provide 10000-litre water tanks and tank stands.
“The main purpose of these boreholes is to increase sustainable water supply to the Groot Aub settlement, and support farmers,” she said.
Agriculture
In terms of agricultural funding, the governor expressed satisfaction with the implementation of agricultural projects to uplift the livelihoods of residents.
In Khomas, the Windhoek rural constituency has agricultural land made up of 1 206 farms, which are heavily affected by the prevailing drought.
McLeod-Katjirua told the gathering that the government, through Agriculture, is supporting the drought-affected farmers by implementing a livestock support intervention of subsidised activities such as livestock marketing, lease of grazing, fodder and transport to and from grazing areas.
In this regard, a total of 156 applicants were received and processed.
She told the meeting that the region managed to successfully implement all projects that were budgeted for 2023/2024 FY.
More so, 26 producers (15 males and 11 females) benefitted from the subsidy in the form of agricultural inputs, drip irrigation materials, solar-powered submersible pumps,and shade net materials.
On advisory services, a total of 67, which consists of 25 male and 42 female horticultural producers, were trained or advised on horticultural production.
Additionally, 276 aspiring community members in all constituencies were trained in horticulture production under the Khomas Capacity-Building Project.
She further revealed that N$496 000 was spent on the poultry value chain development scheme, benefitting a total of 47 small-scale poultry producers.
Also, 200 males and 27 females benefitted from breeding stocks, production stocks (layers), housing materials, poultry equipment and veterinary medicines under the subsidy, while 319 community members were trained under the Khomas capacity-building project on poultry production.
-lnashuuta@gmail.com