Africa-Press – Namibia. Omusati governor Immanuel Shikongo said the ministry of agriculture made significant strides in investing in the development of water infrastructure, upgrading green schemes and promoting food security in the region.
The governor made these remarks during the State of the Region Address in Outapi on Wednesday.
Pointing to Anamulenge, Ruacana, Tsandi and Okahao constituencies, he revealed that the ministry drilled 14 boreholes at the cost of N$4.8 million.
He added that nine boreholes have been installed with solar pump systems in the constituencies of Ruacana, Okahao, Tsandi and Onesi at N$5.5 million.
Additionally, the governor said two earth dams were excavated to harvest rainwater in the Elim and Etayi constituencies at the cost of N$2.2 million.
“The Onamatanga water supply project has been completed. The construction of the Iitapa–Okeeholongo Rural Water Supply Phase 2A has been handed over to the contractor. These projects will ensure access to water for human and livestock consumption in our rural areas,” he added.
Further, the ministry is also executing water supply projects for the Omusati and beyond, such as the upgrading of the Outapi Water Purification Plant at an amount of N$135 million and the upgrading of the Olushandja Water Purification Plant at an amount of N$120 million.
In addition, he said the Ogongo Pump Station was upgraded at N$40 million, while the rehabilitation of the Calueque-Oshakati water canal at the cost of about N$90 million is near completion.
Additionally, replacement of the water pipeline between Ogongo and Oshakati at the cost of N$205 million and the Central North Area Water Master Plan Study to the tune of N$35 million were also highlighted by the region’s first resident. Turning to green schemes, he said a total of 230 hectares were put under production at Etunda Irrigation Scheme, yielding a total of 2 004 tonnes of maize valued at N$13 million.
Twenty-eight small-scale farming plots and 8 medium-scale farming plots were made available for interested crop producers to participate in agribusiness activities at the scheme.
He also thanked the Environmental Investment Fund for supplying agricultural materials and equipment, including 21 water tanks and stands, 21 shade nets, installation of three boreholes, 50 fruit trees, assorted seeds and fertilisers.
Other contributions by the fund were office equipment, as well as the training of the Nyeka Yepumba Farmers Association members in Ruacana and Onesi constituencies to the tune of N$3 million.
Shikongo further said over 14 600 farmers, mostly women, were supported with subsidies to the tune of N$2.7 million for ploughing services of over 5252 hectares, over 20 tonnes of improved seeds, over 21 tonnes of fertilisers, weeding services, grain storage, hammer mills, poultry value chain development, agricultural training and extension services.
He stated that the completed Okahao Veterinary Clinic, including the office and staff accommodation in the Okahao constituency, has been completed at a cost of N$12.2 million.
“Supported 32 small-scale fishermen and women with about 400 000 fingerlings and 26 tonnes of subsidised fish feed,” he added.
Furthermore, the University of Namibia’s Ogongo Campus has contributed significantly to household food security and poultry production by supplying a total of 4 360 breeding chickens to farmers in the region during the reporting period.
“’ The region has also witnessed an expansion of the rice production project at Unam Ogongo Campus from three hectares to 4.5 hectares, which yielded a total of 15 tonnes of rice. I would like to express my appreciation to Debmarine Namibia for their generous donation of a water pump and pipes to boost the irrigation system, resulting in the expansion of the cultivated land to seven hectares by the end of 2025,” he said.
He continued that the government continues to support efforts towards the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.
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