NAMIBIA’S goal is to enhance agricultural production and ensure national food security as well as self-sufficiency.

This was said by agriculture deputy minister Anna Shigwedha in response to questions by Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani regarding drip irrigation and soil moisture management for small-scale commercial agriculture.

“I seek clarification on the strategies and mechanisms the government intends to employ to assist and incentivize farmers who demonstrate a commitment to investigating in drip irrigation schemes,” said Venaani.

The deputy minister acknowledged the importance of addressing the challenges posed by climate change, characterised by high rainfall variability and harsh conditions.

“Given the dry nature of Namibia and the resultant variable and unpredictable rainfall patterns, it is impossible for us to achieve our goals of food security and food self-sufficiency through a rain-dependent crop production system alone. “For this reason, the government took a deliberative decision to promote cereal and horticultural production, which aims to expand
Namibia’s irrigation potential for food production,” said Shigwedha. She said while drip irrigation is highly efficient in terms of water usage and crop yields, it requires substantial initial investment and is susceptible to clogging in certain soil conditions. Despite these challenges, the government has invested more than N$14 million over of three financial years to support about 548 small-scale farmers with drip irrigation systems.

“The ministry has been promoting and supporting small-scale farmers to utilise drip irrigation, particularly those engaged in horticulture and orchard production. I wish to inform this august house that the ministry is relatively at the initial stage of promoting the use of drip irrigation,” she said.-nbcnews.na