The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform says it has allocated N$17.5 million to Regional Councils for the excavation of earth dams nationwide during the 2023/2024 financial year.
The Ministry revealed this during a meeting with the National Council Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources on the oversight visit to the Hardap, Khomas, //Kharas, Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions.
According to the chairperson of the standing committee, Melania Ndjago, the initiative aims to improve water harvesting and storage for agricultural purposes while also reducing the impact of floods.
The Ministry is not only excavating dams but also reshaping canals and water flow channels.
“The excavated dams are aimed to harvest and store rainwater, which will then be used for agricultural purposes. It will further reduce evaporation of the surface water and serve as a flood reduction mechanism. To harvest and restore rainwater, the Ministry has transferred a total of N$17.5 million to Regional Councils for the excavation of earth dams in their respective regions,” she said.
She further said the Ministry had planned to excavate 129 earth dams nationwide during the 2023/2024 financial year, but procurement delays have pushed this target to the following financial year.
“Despite these challenges, four earth dams have been completed in Oshana, while three are under construction in Hardap, Oshikoto and Ohangwena. Additionally, five dams in Hardap, Kavango West, and //Kharas have been contracted out,” she said.
In addition to dam construction, the Ministry plans to excavate and reshape seven canals nationwide during the 2024/2025 financial year.
These include the Etaka, Oshigambo, Mpungu-Nzinze, Ndonga Linena-Ncaute, Bukalo, Driehoek, and Oshakati Inakulu Yomadhiya canals.
Ndjago explained that the Ministry had initiated a pilot project for drilling and installing boreholes for small-scale irrigation in six regions.
To date, 10 boreholes have been drilled in Ohangwena (2), Oshikoto (2), Kavango West (2), Kavango East (2), Zambezi (1), and Omusati (1).
“The initiative will provide some relief in addressing the shortage of food currently experienced in the country. It will also promote employment to the unemployed agricultural graduates, and upon realisation of its success, the Ministry will roll it out to all regions,” she said.
To expedite the process, Ndjago said the Ministry is currently negotiating a Memorandum of Agreement with the Road Contractor Company to handle dam excavation and rehabilitation in all regions.
