OGONGO – Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says for Namibia to achieve its goal of food self-reliance, sufficiency and dignity, it must be aggressive in addressing food production.
“A country that cannot feed itself cannot be respected,” was Nandi-Ndaitwah’s pithy comment while presiding over a rice harvesting session.
Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed these sentiments during the opening of the rice harvest festival at the University of Namibia’s Ogongo campus in the Omusati region on Monday.
She emphasized that agriculture remains one of the sectors that can help reduce poverty, ensure food security and create jobs for Namibians.
“Farmers should seize the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques for future improvement of farm production,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said, adding that rice remains one of the world’s most vital staple crops, providing sustenance for billions of people.
However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly their vulnerability to climate change, she said.
“Vision 2030 is very clear on the importance of agriculture, its significance to food security and what is to be done to ensure food security in Namibia. It is my understanding that this project and others are a response to Vision 2030 objectives,’’ said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Meanwhile Debmarine Namibia donated an assortment of agricultural equipment valued at N$750 000 to the rice project.
Company CEO, Willy Mertens, who was at the site with the minister and the university’s top officials, including vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu, said the equipment is for expanding rice production and poultry development projects.
The donated equipment included an incubator for eggs, parent chicken cages, chicks’ crates and cages, a pelleting machine, heat lamps, a beverage cooler, a water pump as well as irrigation pipes for rice paddies and rice seedling trays.
He said all this equipment will help in facilitating research, training, and revitalising community rice and chicken production activities.
On behalf of the university, Matengu thanked Debmarine for the donation.
“The equipment we received today will definitely boost our production to the next level,’’ he assured. - vkaapanda@nepc.com.na