The Landless People’s Movement in Namibia has N$5 billion per year to be injected by government into the agricultural sector. The move they say is part of the plan to create jobs and rebuild the country’s economy post-Covid-19 pandemic.
The association called on the government to modernise and diversify the agricultural sector that is primarily based on livestock and few agro-economic activities to invest heavily in agriculture to boost the sector.
“The sector needs to be boosted with a special focus on food production to create food security. Therefore, N$5 billion per year should be injected into the agricultural sector,” said the party.
Irrigation
According to the party, the Neckartal Dam south of Keetmanshoop is readily available for irrigation utilisation, adding that all government needs to do is purchase land for irrigation and start production.
“We propose that the relevant ministry make land available to //Kharas Regional Council for investment opportunities creation and for co-ownership. As matters stand now, only Namib Mills have shown interest in this dam, and the water is being wasted,” the party said.
In the 2021/22 national budget, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform received N$1.7 billion or 2.9% of the budget for investment in the sector. The LPM said as the governing party in the //Kharas region, they are pleased for notable investment that the central government has undertaken as far as the building of the Neckartal Dam is concerned. However, they said their belief is that agriculture is the most viable economic activity for Namibia.
“Persistent droughts wiped out more than half of farmers productive animals, and urgent investments and opening up of the dam opportunities would aid job creation and economic revitalisation in that region and Namibia at large,” said the party.
