Youth in the Rundu Rural constituency have welcomed the government plans to initiate a new project focusing on agro-processing at Uvhungu-Vungu.
They are convinced that the project will create job opportunities and equip them with much-needed agricultural skills.
This comes after a recent high-level meeting held between a delegation from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and local stakeholders in Kavango East.
The delegation comprised officials from the OPM, the Kavango East Regional Council, the ministry of agriculture, Kayengona headman Bonifatius Kandjimi, the Rundu Rural constituency councillor, and members of the chief council of the Vasambyu Traditional Authority.
Rundu Rural Constituency Youth Forum chairperson Makayi Augustinus, under the National Youth Council (NYC), in a recent interview with this publication, said the engagements focused on fast-tracking the initiation of an agro-processing facility in line with the government’s decentralisation mandate and national development objectives.
The proposed agro-processing facility is expected to process juice and jam from watermelon and other locally produced fruits, adding value to produce grown in the area.
“A key outcome of the meeting was the commitment to set in motion the utilisation of the underutilised Uvhungu-Vungu green scheme land, particularly for young people to engage in horticulture,” he said.
“It is anticipated that once operational, the project could create more than 50 jobs. Young people will also gain skills in fruit processing, value addition and agro-enterprise development,” said Augustinus.
The project dates to August 2025, when the late headman and former parliamentarian, Alois Gende, together with headman Kandjimi, approached the youth in the area to agree on providing land for the initiative.
“Following those engagements last year, the youth agreed to make land available for agro-processing. A formal letter of acceptance was then submitted to the traditional authority,” he added.
The land earmarked for the project forms part of the Uvhungu-Vungu green scheme, which has access to water but remains largely underutilised.
Augustinus said the youth are eager to begin horticultural activities on the land while awaiting full government implementation of the agro-processing plant.
“As young people, we are ready to work and meet the government halfway if given the opportunity. This initiative has the potential to bring value and prosperity to our community,” he said.
The head of the project also said that it aligns with national priorities under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and Vision 2030, particularly in addressing youth unemployment through decentralised economic activities.
Despite his optimism, Augustinus cautioned that prolonged delays could have serious social and economic consequences for young people in the area.
“If this project delays further, it risks worsening poverty, increasing crime, and limiting young people’s participation in economic growth,” he said. Efforts to obtain comment from the Rundu Rural Constituency councillor and OPM were unsuccessful.