Plans are underway to reopen the Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural College (TAZAC) at Tsumis Park in the Hardap Region.

This comes after Hardap Governor Rian McNab submitted a proposal to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform requesting permission to carry out the plan.

To achieve this objective, the region entered into a partnership with the University of Namibia to advance agricultural studies to increase opportunities for local 

Presenting the Implementation Plan for TAZAC, UNAM Vice-Chancellor Kenneth Matengu said the college will offer short courses and formal diploma/certificate training in livestock genetic improvement, technical farm infrastructure skills, animal health and breed standards as core skills. 

It will also offer farmers demonstrations and experimental plots.

"We are also making an assumption that small stock breeding is a strength in this region, and Tsumis is known for that, particularly the Boer goat. There is a legacy that has been there, and we need to take advantage of it."

The Vice Chancellor noted that specialised farming initiatives will focus on diverse goat breeds, dairy goat introduction, ostrich and sheep farming and poultry production.  

He further added that value addition will unlock opportunities for cheese, buttermilk, meat processing, karakul pelts, ostrich leather and egg production.

McNab said the revival of TAZAC is a crucial step towards addressing the Hardap Region's educational and agricultural skills gap, boosting development. 

"There is one common enemy that we are all focusing on, and that's unemployment and poverty that has brought us here together."

The college will start with about 100 ewes and two rams to establish small stock breeding and ostrich farming with 20 hens and 20 roosters to ensure balanced breeding.

Phased expansion will depend on performance metrics, market demand, and resource availability.