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Home / India Boosts Namibia's Agricultural Industry Still Further
India Boosts Namibia's Agricultural Industry Still Further
2006-11-17Staff Report 2 By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK Namibia's agricultural industry received another boost in various fields of technological development from the Indian government recently. The kind assistance covers the development of small-scale dairy units, post-harvest technology, rainwater harvesting, micro-irrigation technology, participatory research and use of biogas as a source of energy. The latest development assistance comes shortly after the four-day visit of the Indian Minister of State for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution, Kanti Lal Bhuria, to Namibia from the November 8 to 11. During his visit, the Indian Minister was escorted by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr Nickey Iyambo, to various agricultural sites in the country, namely: those of the Aussenkehr grape farms, Gellap-Ost Karakul Research Station, the Namibian Dairy Plant and the Agra Pelt Centre. Besides the elaborate discussions between the two ministers on various issues of mutual concern, the talks culminated in the signing of a work plan under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a period of two years, namely: from 2007 to 2009. As stated in a recent press release, this MOU agreement is set to open more doors for Namibia in the agricultural sector, especially through the exchange of expertise, training of scientists and exchange of scientific material. Since both Namibia and some parts of India have similar agro-climatic situations, there is tremendous scope for technical cooperation and mutual support between the two countries. In light of this, Lal Bhuria said India is ready to extend cooperation to Namibia in different areas of agricultural development. This also includes the exchange of germplasms as well as the use and management of the Neem Tree. Iyambo also expressed his interest in the new variety of Kasana (pearl millet) seed developed in India as this variety crop has the same colour and texture as the commonly-grown mahangu. 2006-11-17Staff Report 2
