Schlettwein urges mobilisation of drought relief
The recurrence of drought underscores the need for the urgent implementation of preparedness measures.
This includes expanded harvesting of rain and floodwater for better adaptation and resilience in the future.
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said this at a strategic and annual planning workshop in Swakopmund this week.
“This is a drought year, with crop failure and a low harvest experienced across all the cropping regions.”
He urged the mobilisation and deployment of drought relief measures and distribution networks to mitigate devastating impacts on producers.
Schlettwein said the recurring state of affairs raises urgent responsive actions to address human and livestock needs.
Enhancing water supply security, addressing existing deep pockets of water insecurity and sanitation challenges and exercising effective stewardship of groundwater resources are important objectives now and over the long-term, he said.
Priority areas
According to the minister, the construction of a modular desalination plant at the coast - for which procurement and public-private partnerships should be finalised during the year - is important.
Another priority is the accelerated implementation of the water sector support programme and related projects under the ambit of the Cabinet Committee on Water Supply Security, centred on the construction and expansion of water purification plants and water distribution infrastructure across the country, as well as devising strategies for effective joint management of the transboundary shared water resources.
Schlettwein said it is also crucial to commence with a feasibility study for the Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam along the lower Orange River to further unlock and diversify economic opportunities in the southern part of the country.
Other priorities for the ministry include addressing the remaining deep pockets of water supply insecurity in rural and peri-urban areas through the targeted rehabilitation of boreholes, drilling of new boreholes, water softening projects, development of wellfields, modernisation of traditional wells and construction of short water pipelines.
Other focus areas are also supporting research work and strengthening monitoring activities for resource quantification and planning, and addressing the glaring challenges in the sanitation sector, he said.
This includes expanded harvesting of rain and floodwater for better adaptation and resilience in the future.
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said this at a strategic and annual planning workshop in Swakopmund this week.
“This is a drought year, with crop failure and a low harvest experienced across all the cropping regions.”
He urged the mobilisation and deployment of drought relief measures and distribution networks to mitigate devastating impacts on producers.
Schlettwein said the recurring state of affairs raises urgent responsive actions to address human and livestock needs.
Enhancing water supply security, addressing existing deep pockets of water insecurity and sanitation challenges and exercising effective stewardship of groundwater resources are important objectives now and over the long-term, he said.
Priority areas
According to the minister, the construction of a modular desalination plant at the coast - for which procurement and public-private partnerships should be finalised during the year - is important.
Another priority is the accelerated implementation of the water sector support programme and related projects under the ambit of the Cabinet Committee on Water Supply Security, centred on the construction and expansion of water purification plants and water distribution infrastructure across the country, as well as devising strategies for effective joint management of the transboundary shared water resources.
Schlettwein said it is also crucial to commence with a feasibility study for the Noordoewer/Vioolsdrift Dam along the lower Orange River to further unlock and diversify economic opportunities in the southern part of the country.
Other priorities for the ministry include addressing the remaining deep pockets of water supply insecurity in rural and peri-urban areas through the targeted rehabilitation of boreholes, drilling of new boreholes, water softening projects, development of wellfields, modernisation of traditional wells and construction of short water pipelines.
Other focus areas are also supporting research work and strengthening monitoring activities for resource quantification and planning, and addressing the glaring challenges in the sanitation sector, he said.
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