Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform

The Deputy Minister called on small-scale farmers to make full and productive use of the plots allocated to them in order to maximise agricultural output and contribute meaningfully to food security and economic development.

She expressed her disappointment with the lack of progress observed at the small-scale farming plots at the Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP), noting that the available land and infrastructure present significant opportunities for production and income generation. She urged beneficiaries to take advantage of these resources and work diligently to ensure that the project achieves its intended objectives.

Hon. Ruthy Masake has urged Namibians to be active participants in food production, she charged that everyone must be able to produce food for their consumption.

Deputy Minister Ruthy Masake this morning paid a courtesy visit to the Namibia Grape Company. The company is wholly owned by the Government of Namibia through the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, but operates on a commercial basis.

According to the company's Managing Director, Gideon Nuunyango, the Namibia Grape Company has established itself as a highly successful enterprise, supplying both local and international markets with quality table grapes.

Mr. Nuunyango informed the Deputy Minister that the company currently employs 258 permanent staff members and creates employment opportunities for approximately 1,800 seasonal workers during the harvesting season, making it a significant contributor to job creation and economic development in the region.

Deputy Minister, Hon. Ruthy Masake conducted a familiarisation visit to the Neckartal Dam to gain a better understanding of its operations and strategic role in supporting Government agricultural initiatives. The dam is expected to provide a reliable water supply for agricultural development projects within its surrounding areas.

Hon. Ruthy Masake, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, this morning visited and engaged with ministerial staff members in Keetmanshoop, Karas Region.

During the meet-and-greet session, Hon. Masake encouraged staff members to remain committed to delivering quality services to ensure that the Ministry achieves its mandate, particularly in advancing food security and sustainable agricultural development in Namibia. She emphasized the important role that every staff member plays in supporting the Ministry's efforts to improve livelihoods and strengthen the country's food systems.

Speaking on behalf of Hon. Inge Zaamwani, Acting Executive Director for Vote 37, Mr. Alfred Sikopo described the Government of Japan-funded initiative as one of the most comprehensive climate resilience interventions to be co-designed and implemented for vulnerable farming households in Namibia.

Under the project, “Enhancing Resilience of Farming Communities Affected by Drought through the Promotion of Adaptive Agriculture” (GCP/NAM/027/JPN), valued at USD 2,985,759 and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, fifteen smallholder farmers, primarily youth- and women-led households in the Hardap Region, received agricultural inputs, gardening tools, and training during today’s symbolic handover ceremony.

The Project is being implemented across the Erongo, Kunene, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, and Hardap regions, where it is supporting smallholder farmers to establish and strengthen farming enterprises through climate-smart agricultural practices and the provision of appropriate inputs.
In total, approximately 6,000 smallholder farmers, mainly youth- and women-led households, are expected to benefit, with a positive impact on an estimated 24,000 people. Through diversified livelihoods and strengthened adaptive capacity, the initiative is helping communities build resilience to climate change-induced shocks, including droughts and floods.