More Namibians have access to water, land, food
Agriculture sector stronger
More Namibians have access to water, land and food now compared to five years ago, thanks to robust planning and implementation of strategies within the agricultural sector.
Improved water access, land resettlement and local food production over the last five years are the positive outcomes of the robust implementation of plans within an agricultural sector that has become more valuable to Namibia.
Agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein said at the opening of the weeklong strategic planning workshop at Swakopmund on Monday that Namibia’s agriculture, water and land reform sectors are at a critical juncture considering that the national economy is projected to rebound to positive growth territory, with the agriculture and water sectors among the growth anchors.
In fact, by the second half of last year, the GDP contribution of the agricultural sector had grown by 5.9%, said Schlettwein.
Water is life
According to him, access to water for human and industrial use has improved, in particular the percentage of rural households with access to potable water within a radius of 2.5 km, which has increased from 91% to 96%. The percentage of households with access to improved sanitation facilities has also improved from 42% to 54%.
The construction of the Neckartal Dam and eight earthen dams was also completed during the last five years, enabling opportunities for intensive agriculture and enhanced water supply, while African- and German-funded programmes to strengthen water-supply systems countrywide have been rolled out into the regions.
There is also the planned desalination plant in Erongo that will give Namibia security of bulk water supply until the year 2037.
Schlettwein also pointed out that at least 267 868 hectares of commercial agricultural land had been acquired for resettlement of landless Namibians, exceeding the target of 224 123 hectares by 20%.
A total of 113 previously disadvantaged landless Namibians were resettled in eight regions, while at least 60% of the resettled farmers were provided with some form of infrastructure and support services, given the limited financial resources.
Besides this, over 33 000 communal land rights were registered in communal areas, while the Land Reform Bill was drafted to provide for more secure communal land tenure.
Food production
The average production of staple food has improved by 13%, from 161 294 tonnes to 203 508 tonnes, reflecting increases in maize and pearl millet production.
Over the same period, the percentage of domestic market share of local agricultural produce, specifically horticulture products, increased from 3% to 47%.
“Increased local procurement promises to further boost domestic productive capacity and income generation,” said the minister.
He said all these achievements were recorded against a multitude of challenges and risk factors, such as climate change, diseases and pests, and under-utilisation of the Green Schemes, abattoirs, and commodity-based trade in the northern communal areas.
Limited financial resources also hampered projects and effective provision of support services.
The aim of the workshop is to draw up a strategic plan for the ministry for the next five years.
[email protected]
Agriculture, water and land reform minister Calle Schlettwein said at the opening of the weeklong strategic planning workshop at Swakopmund on Monday that Namibia’s agriculture, water and land reform sectors are at a critical juncture considering that the national economy is projected to rebound to positive growth territory, with the agriculture and water sectors among the growth anchors.
In fact, by the second half of last year, the GDP contribution of the agricultural sector had grown by 5.9%, said Schlettwein.
Water is life
According to him, access to water for human and industrial use has improved, in particular the percentage of rural households with access to potable water within a radius of 2.5 km, which has increased from 91% to 96%. The percentage of households with access to improved sanitation facilities has also improved from 42% to 54%.
The construction of the Neckartal Dam and eight earthen dams was also completed during the last five years, enabling opportunities for intensive agriculture and enhanced water supply, while African- and German-funded programmes to strengthen water-supply systems countrywide have been rolled out into the regions.
There is also the planned desalination plant in Erongo that will give Namibia security of bulk water supply until the year 2037.
Schlettwein also pointed out that at least 267 868 hectares of commercial agricultural land had been acquired for resettlement of landless Namibians, exceeding the target of 224 123 hectares by 20%.
A total of 113 previously disadvantaged landless Namibians were resettled in eight regions, while at least 60% of the resettled farmers were provided with some form of infrastructure and support services, given the limited financial resources.
Besides this, over 33 000 communal land rights were registered in communal areas, while the Land Reform Bill was drafted to provide for more secure communal land tenure.
Food production
The average production of staple food has improved by 13%, from 161 294 tonnes to 203 508 tonnes, reflecting increases in maize and pearl millet production.
Over the same period, the percentage of domestic market share of local agricultural produce, specifically horticulture products, increased from 3% to 47%.
“Increased local procurement promises to further boost domestic productive capacity and income generation,” said the minister.
He said all these achievements were recorded against a multitude of challenges and risk factors, such as climate change, diseases and pests, and under-utilisation of the Green Schemes, abattoirs, and commodity-based trade in the northern communal areas.
Limited financial resources also hampered projects and effective provision of support services.
The aim of the workshop is to draw up a strategic plan for the ministry for the next five years.
[email protected]
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