Ndishishi Challenges Farmers on Diversity

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By Petronella Sibeene

WINDHOEK

While the agricultural sector is the major employer in the country and contri-butes about 6.2 percent to the Gross Domestic Product, there is a need for more investment in the industry to trigger medium- and long-term economic growth.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Andrew Ndishishi, said this at the Investment Conference that ended in the capital yesterday. He said there is need for investment in crop production that would specifically focus on production of cereals, cash crops and bio-fuel crops.

Considering that about 70 percent of Namibia’s population relies on agricultural activities for income, he said there is great potential in horticulture and urged investors to look at crops such as potatoes. Local production of potatoes stands at 494 tonnes and the domestic market is 25??????’??