WINDHOEK – The Rietfontein Farmers Association has decided to help resettlement farmers on the Farm Neu Sommerau at Kombat with a charcoal project.
Earlier this year, the Governor of the Otjozondjupa region, Samuel Nuuyoma approached the NAU to help the approximately 2 000 resettlement farmers on the Farm Neu Sommerau at Kombat. A charcoal project was designed and submitted to the European Union for financing. The European Union made available N$570 000 and the Ministry of Lands N$63 000 to finance the project.
At a first meeting of the role players which was held at Kombat last week, Peter Zensi of the Rietfontein FA agreed to act as project coordinator and will work closely with the manager of the farm. The aim of the project is to give the opportunity to 40 families to de-bush each 4ha which will then be used as agronomic land. The de-bushing is associated with the charcoal production and each family will receive the necessary equipment to produce charcoal which could be used as income.
The Ministry of Lands in the Otjozondjupa region took the responsibility with the selection of the beneficiaries which will participate in the project as well as to allocate the land to each of the families. The Management Committee of the farm was very excited about the project and promised their full cooperation.