2016-11-01Staff Report 2 Omaruru The Ministry of Land Reform has to date spent N$160 million to acquire 23 resettlement farms in Erongo Region, it said last week. The 23 farms were divided into 49 farming units on which 49 families have been resettled. Minster of Land Reform Uutoni Nujoma revealed this during an open day session with resettled farmers last Thursday on Farm Kasandara, situated about 10 kilometres from Omaruru. The farmers’ day was hosted by the ministry to discuss the challenges faced by resettled farmers, as well as to share best practices on how farmers can improve production. Nujoma said the output in terms of production has not yielded the desired results and urged farmers to turn their farms into profitable businesses that can sustain their families and assist government in meeting challenges, such as the current drought. “It should be understood that with increased productivity each household will be able to feed itself and ultimately contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country,” he said. “The long term goal is to improve livelihoods and foster support toward the eradication of poverty in our communities, as articulated in the Haramee Prosperity Plan.” According to the minister, the number of formerly disadvantaged Namibians who gained access to land has significantly increased. He added that government achieved this through the implementation the National Resettlement Programme and the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme, which is jointly administered with Agribank. He added that government in an attempt to improve access to land also enhanced efforts to provide critical pre- and post-settlement support packages tailor-made for the various farmers, according to their defined needs. “I’m happy that as a government our financial commitment in respect to post-settlement support is slowly reaping the benefits and transforming our sector for the better. “Although there are several challenges, the ministry has mitigated these challenges though the provision of targeted practical agricultural training, especially in borehole installation and maintenance, rehabilitation of water infrastructure and livestock and crop production,” Minister Nujoma said. 2016-11-01Staff Report 2
