GOBABIS – The Omaheke Regional Council has called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to allocate three additional resettlement farms in the region to address landlessness.

Omaheke Regional Council’s Chairperson Ignatius Kariseb made the appeal during the official opening ceremony of the council’s 2025 calendar year in Gobabis on Monday.

He emphasised that landlessness remains a major barrier to economic development and social stability for many families in the region.

“Without access to land, families cannot establish stable livelihoods, which is critical, especially for those involved in farming. Overcrowding on resettlement farms and communal land has exacerbated this problem, with families struggling to make a living on land that is often not suitable for agriculture,” said Kariseb.

The issue of land allocation is contentious in Omaheke. In April last year, landless farmers who had been farming illegally on Gobabis municipal land occupied Farm Witsand, resulting in their arrest.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Kariseb said the urgent need for land allocation is undeniable.

“We as the regional leadership are demanding three additional farms from the ministry to address the plight of our people in terms of land. We are with our people daily and we know their pain,” he said.

The chairperson added that resettlement farms are overcrowded, and farmers are farming on townland and in corridors.

He said the regional leadership has repeatedly raised the issue with relevant authorities and is now urging the ministry and other stakeholders to take decisive action.

“By allocating land in a way that promotes sustainable farming and ensures the long-term security of our people, we will help build a more prosperous and resilient Omaheke,” said the Swapo councillor.

Approached for comment, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein acknowledged the high demand for land but stressed that proper procedures must be followed.

“We have legal procedures in place when giving farms, and resettlement committees are also in place. In the case of Omaheke, the governor, Pijoo Nganate is the chairperson of that committee, thus the regional council can consult that committee,” the minister advised.

-Nampa