NECKARTAL DAM – Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Minister Inge Zaamwani said there is an urgent need to hasten projects aimed at advancing food security to prevent possible malnutrition of impoverished Namibians.
She made this request during her visit to the //Kharas region last week where she inspected projects under her ministry.
“I am here on a mission to oversee the speedy implementation of all projects falling under the different components of the newly combined ministry and was further tasked to actualise the dream of Neckartal Dam to ensure it produces food for Namibia as soon as possible,” she emphasised.
Zaamwani continued: “There is an urgent need to increase food security and productivity in the agriculture sector since our children are dying from malnutrition, hence the priority of ensuring Namibians have access to basic food daily.”
She highlighted that there is also a need to see how to utilise the Directorate of Fisheries and Marine Resources in order to increase the daily intake of proteins (seafood) coming from the oceans and also that land allocated through resettlement can increase agriculture and livestock farming production.
The politician in addition cautioned that every problem cannot be solved by government alone, as all stakeholders should think critically on how best to address challenges faced under these projects.
She added that this has a direct impact on the livelihood of people and that they should prudently use resources available in the process. “Central, regional and local government as well as the political leadership, together with traditional authorities, established committees and other relevant stakeholders should now, more than ever form partnerships to ensure people have access to land, potable water and basic daily food stuff”, Zaamwani advised. In her remarks, regional governor, Aletha Frederick said the ministry has the potential to address some of the economic challenges the country is facing.
“Through the speedy implementation of agriculture projects in the region, issues around food security and unemployment can be dealt with”, she added.
Frederick is confident that the Neckartal Dam can become the country’s food basket in future. Shedding light on the Neckartal irrigation project, Ben Haraseb, director of agriculture said the initiative has been delayed due to bidders who objected to some technical issues as contemplated in the tendering process. “The adjudication will, however, be finalised next month after which it may take the consultant approximately eight months to complete the project, then paving the way for the actual construction of infrastructure before agricultural production can commence,” he explained.