The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform plans to revive a technology centre in Rundu, after years of limited activity. The centre is expected to support agricultural mechanisation by managing and monitoring systems that benefit Green Scheme irrigation projects and subsistence farmers.
The Mashare Agricultural Development Institute (MADI) in Kavango East hosted local farmers eager to learn about the latest seed developments.
The Farmers' Information Day aimed to expose farmers to efforts that will significantly enhance food security and resilience among local communities.
MADI is currently experimenting with seed varieties including sorghum, pearl millet, cowpeas, and groundnuts.
The Directorate of Agricultural Research and Development reported progress in breeding and promoting drought-tolerant, early-maturing, pest-resistant, and high-yielding varieties.
The seeds have been tested under local conditions with participation from local farmers.
Johanna Andowa, Director of NAMSIP, said, “Some withstand moisture stress better, some provide better yield under difficult conditions, and some improve nutrition and household income.”
Farmers inquired about susceptibility to bird attacks, cross-pollination, occurrence of tillers, and value addition methods.
They also questioned the absence of a seed processing plant in Kavango despite the region hosting most of Namibia’s green schemes. Currently, seeds produced there are transported to the Omahenene seed multiplication and processing plant in Omusati and then shipped back for distribution.
Petrus Kashumali, Regional Councillor for Mashare Constituency, said, “On a weekly basis, someone calls our open line on NBC Radio Wato asking leaders to speak to central government to bring the seed processing plant here to MADI.”
Augustinus Poroto, farmer at Rikorerere Cooperative Seed Growers, added, “One region wants to colonize others, but we continue to fight with our councillors, including the Mashare and Rundu constituency councillors and the governor’s office, until we die.”
Plans are underway to construct a Full House Seed Processing Plant at Katwitwi in Kavango West.