Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) has acquired 168 of the 350 tractors expected under the Namibia Agricultural Mechanization and Seed Improvement Project (NAMSIP).
The ministry’s spokesperson, Jona Musheko says the initiative is set to empower small-scale farmers and bolster agricultural productivity across the nation.
In addition to the tractors, the ministry has also launched a tender for the design and construction of the proposed seed processing plants.
“The Seed Processing Plants will be built in the Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto and Omusati regions once the designs are complete,” he said.
He said the NAMSIP project, co-funded by the African Development Bank and the Namibian government, has been designed to enhance food security, reduce import dependency, stimulate job creation and improve household incomes.
“The focus on agricultural mechanisation and certified seed systems improvement aligns with the National Development Plan 5 and Harambee Prosperity Plan phases I and II,” said Musheko.
According to him, the tractors, which are divided into different lots, come equipped with matching implements and fodder-producing equipment, providing farmers with the necessary tools to optimise their farming operations.
“The tractors are part of a broader initiative that encompasses various equipment such as veterinary cold chain/drug kits, knapsack sprayers, seed drillers and more,” he explained.
Musheko added that the tools have already been distributed to Agricultural Development Centers across the country, for accessibility to farmers during farm operations.
With regards to the remaining 182 tractors, Musheko said they are expected to arrive before the end of 2023.
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