Africa-Press – Namibia. Placido Hilukilwa
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform is implementing rain-fed agronomic subsidy programmes to benefit cereal communal farmers in the ten crop-growing regions of Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi.
An amount of N$44.2 million has been budgeted for this purpose for the financial year 2024/25.
The programmes, which aim to increase food production and productivity along cereal value chains, thereby enhancing food security and creating resilience to climate change, include the DCPP (Dry Land Crop Production Programme) complemented by the CVCDP (Cereal Value Chain Development Programme).
Photo for illustrative purposes only.
According to the ministry, through these programmes, the government will provide ploughing services using state-owned tractors as well as subsidies for the use of privately-owned tractors or draught animal power.
“Each participating household shall qualify for a maximum of five hectares at a subsidised rate for ploughing, disking, ripping, and planting services,” said the ministry in a statement that explained the programmes’ modalities.
Payments will be processed through the respective regional councils.
Ploughing using subsidised government tractors costs the farmer N$350 per hectare, and when a privately owned tractor is used, the government covers 60 per cent of the cost to a maximum of N$500 per hectare.
Where a private tractor is involved, the owner shall claim the government subsidy directly from the respective regional council after verification of the service rendered. The beneficiary pays the remaining cost directly to the owner.
According to the ministry, the government will also provide fertilisers and improved seeds to farmers at subsidised rates.
The ministry will further provide subsidies for weeding services, milling machines, threshers, equipment for tillage mechanisation, and storage facilities.
Of the allocated amount of N$44.2 million, four regions – Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, and Zambezi – receive N$5,255,384.00 each.
The allocations to the other six regions are as follows (in descending order): Oshikoto (N$5,245,384.00); Kavango East (N$5,163,994.00); Kavango West (N$5,118,632.00); Otjozondjupa (N$2,799,316.00); Kunene (N$2,459,316.00); and Omaheke (N$2,391,822.00).
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