Agri industry welcomes Calle

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Stakeholders in the agriculture sector have applauded the appointment of Calle Schlettwein as the new minister of agriculture, water and land reform, saying his wealth of experience is just what is needed to tackle the challenges in these sectors.

The executive manager of the

Namibian Agriculture Union (NAU), Roelie Venter, said the union was looking forward to engaging with Schlettwein.

“We are convinced that he will lead the sector on a growth path that is so direly needed,” said Venter.

A healthy and productive primary agricultural sector in Namibia creates rural jobs and livelihoods, curbs urbanisation, multiplies job opportunities in the rest of the value chain and provides valuable primary products for secondary processing and value adding, he said.

“Growth must, however, start at the primary production level. If no primary agricultural products are available in the market, no local value adding can be done in Namibia.”

Venter said the union was particularly excited about the merging of the agriculture and land reform ministries.

“We believe that land reform can only be regarded as a success if the beneficiaries of land reform are producing agricultural products from the land in a profitable manner, thereby contributing to the economy of Namibia.”



Meat Board

Meat Board of Namibia general manager, Paul Strydom, said Schlettwein had over the years held various portfolios, all of which related to the agricultural and meat industry in different ways.

Strydom added that Schlettwein had always been willing to listen to counter-arguments and consider recommendations based on facts.

He said Schlettwein should convene a meeting with all chairpersons and CEOs in the agricultural sector as soon possible to formulate a common vision.

Important subjects to cover would include clarity on value-addition policies and directives and the strengthening of the directorate of veterinary services.

“Given the current circumstances of the world economy, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic as well as the shortage of government finances, it is important that every focus and intervention should be on growing the Namibian livestock and meat industry.”



Agribank

Agribank's manager for marketing and communication, Rino Muranda, said given Schlettwein's exemplary leadership at the finance ministry, his appointment to both agriculture and land reform was a good one. He said Schlettwein is a technocrat with a wealth of experience and understanding of both portfolios.

According to him, the key issues Schlettwein should tackle are land reform, in particular the resettlement programme, and the revision of the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme to make it dynamic and responsive to the current realities.

“He will also play a leading role in implementing some of the resolutions of the second land conference.”

Muranda said Schlettwein's leadership would be vital in steering the industry back to profitability after the prolonged drought.