Namibia’s nine state-run Green Schemes have produced nearly 10,000 tonnes of maize by mid-June this year, with harvesting still ongoing, according to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Presenting her 100-day progress report alongside the launch of the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6) on 21 July, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the schemes had yielded 9,947 tonnes of maize, 300 tonnes of potatoes and 39 tonnes of sunflower so far this season.
“All nine Green Schemes under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, covering a total of 5,600 hectares of irrigable land, remain operational. As of this reporting period, 3,403 hectares are actively under cultivation, with harvesting currently underway. The aim is food security,” she said.
The Green Schemes form part of government efforts to improve national food self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on imports.
In a bid to expand the programme, the government has identified three additional sites for future Green Scheme development: Katima Farm in the Zambezi Region, Ekoka in Ohangwena, and the Uvhungu-Vhungu Dairy Farm in Kavango East, where de-bushing is currently underway.
“The Uvhungu-Vhungu Dairy Farm in Kavango East is also being prepared, with de-bushing already in progress. Strategic partnerships are being explored to establish commercial-scale super farms,” Nandi-Ndaitwah added.
Other interventions aimed at strengthening food systems include the acquisition of Farm Richlyn in the Omaheke Region for resettlement purposes, and the establishment of a 13-hectare food security pilot project in Otjombinde Constituency in partnership with the World Food Programme. Government plans to roll out the project to all 13 remaining regions.
Additional infrastructure developments include the refurbishment of the seed processing facility at Omahenene and the construction of new seed facilities in Katima Mulilo and Katwitwi. A feasibility study is also planned for a combined seed and fertiliser plant under a public-private partnership model.
Meanwhile, the Namibia Correctional Service produced food worth N$13.9 million between May and June across its Divundu, Oluno and Hardap facilities, resulting in savings of N$6.7 million for the state.
