RUNDU – President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the launch of the Sikondo Green Scheme project marks an important milestone in Namibia’s quest to become self-sufficient in food production.
Pohamba who launched the project situated about 10 kilometres west of Rundu on Tuesday said it was with great pride that he joined the celebration of the important national project, which he described as an important milestone in the country’s quest for food security.
“In 2010, we took a decision to develop the 830 hectares of land at Sikondo for food production and today we are witnessing the fruits of this important national project, which should indeed activate a sense of pride in all patriotic Namibians and serve as testimony, that through hardwork we can transform parts of our land into vital food production sites,” said the president. “Although we are inaugurating the Sikondo Green Scheme project today, the actual production at the project commenced on 6 December 2011. Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy.”
The president further took the opportunity to thank members of the community and all affected parties for their cooperation during the relocation process that paved the way for the successful implementation of the agronomic project. He also extended a special word of thanks to the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa, for his personal involvement and efforts, as well as all the men and women who worked on the project and urged them to continue working hard for the benefit of their country and people. Digressing from the topic of the occasion the president once again condemned the barbaric killing of women in so-called crimes of passion in the country.
“I don’t understand why women must be killed and this is happening in the bedroom and at home not in the street, they are killed by their lovers.”
He described crimes of passion as an ugly situation and said women also took part in the liberation struggle.
“They also contributed to the realisation of Sikondo.”
Speaking at the same event the Kavango Regional Governor, Dr Samuel Mbambo, said food security in the country is the wish and aspiration of every Head of State who has his people’s interests at heart. “In fact, it is not only a dream and must not only be an aspiration and a wish, but it must be a responsibility and an obligation of the head of the household, as well as that of the Head of State to see to it that there is food in the house,” he said.
“Food in the house, food in the country means there is peace, tranquillity and stability. Food in the house means progress and development and self-confidence,” said the governor, who further noted that the Sikondo project is one of the building blocks in the greater plan of the government to achieve food self-sufficiency and it is one of the stepping stones to Vision 2030.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Joseph Iita used the inauguration to introduce the Agricultural Business Development Agency (AGRIBUSDEV), which is mandated to oversee the management of all green scheme projects in the country. He said AGRIBUSDEV can aid in the quest to achieve food self-sufficiency through the monitoring and creation of an ideal environment in order to achieve the green scheme’s objectives as stipulated in the revised Green Scheme Policy of 2008. Iita also introduced the Agro-Marketing Trade Agency (AMTA), which will focus on finding markets for the produce of independent producers, as well as the green scheme projects. The Sikondo project is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. Its size is 845 hectares of which 540 hectares is irrigable, while 305 hectares is reserved for commercial production and 235 hectares is meant for medium-scale farmers and the dry land crop production area is 120 hectares in size. Crops grown at Sikondo include maize, potatoes, onions, butternuts, pumpkins and mahangu.
The councillor of the Kapako constituency Frieda Siwombe also thanked President Pohamba for the good advice that he offered to Hompa Alfons Kaundu of the Mbunza tribe, who made available land for the project.
“Because of your tireless efforts, dedication and commitment that no person in Namibia must die of hunger, it’s why we now have a sea of food at Sikondo Green Scheme to feed the nation,” she said and also thanked all the people and especially members of the community who travelled far to witness the inauguration of the project.
By John Muyamba