Africa-Press – Namibia. Maria David
THE Ministry of Agriculture has launched 65%-subsidised poultry schemes to empower the least privileged communities and reduce income disparity across all 14 regions for the 2024-2025 financial year.
The Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme (PVCDS) is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) in line with the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), the Harambee Prosperity Plan, and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan. Poultry is an integral part of the farming system in rural communities in Namibia and is a vital source of income and protein for rural families.
Photo for illustrative purposes only.
The Executive Director of the Agriculture Ministry, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, said that the ministry formulated the Harambee Comprehensively and Coordinated Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (HACCIADEP) to fast-track the implementation of the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
According to Nghituwamata, the HACCIADEP model aims to facilitate market access for small- and medium-scale agricultural producers and agro-processors, thereby stimulating sustainable agricultural production and productivity. This initiative is intended to enhance national and household food and nutrition security while promoting poultry development along the value chain.
“It is an important source of income and protein for rural families. Most birds are kept on an extensive system and are supplemented with household and crop residues. Eggs and meat are the two important poultry products,” she said.
She added that during the 2024/25 financial year, the project aims to benefit 2,000 small-scale poultry producers.
Regarding the implementation modalities, Nghituwamata indicated that funds for the subsidy will be transferred to Regional Councils. She noted that regions will create awareness of the project and register interested farmers, thereby creating a database of poultry producers eligible for the scheme.
“The regions will convene meetings with retailers to identify and register retailers who will partake in project implementation,” she added.
Moreover, Nghituwamata said the subsidy voucher will be issued to registered and approved farmers against the quotations obtained by the farmer. The retailers will then redeem the balance with the Regional Councils. Producers will be monitored and inspected by MAWLR and AMTA, with continuous updating of commitment registers at the regional level.
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