Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The National Council Standing Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform to provide adequate training and financial support to resettled farmers across Namibia.
In a report released on Wednesday, the committee also directed the ministry to establish a proper monitoring and evaluation system to track all developments in the resettlement programme.
The committee also called for a review of the resettlement criteria used for point scoring to ensure that the programme can effectively identify suitable and deserving candidates to benefit from it.
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform reviewed the duration of 99 years for the leasehold of resettlement farms to any period when a lessee is able to purchase the land to increase the ownership of land by the previously disadvantaged,” reads the report.
The ministry was also ordered to furnish individual resettled farmers with allotment letters to enable them to access financial services.
The committee also advised the ministry to limit the time it takes for a farm to be allocated and ensure the upkeep and protection of farm infrastructure to avoid theft, vandalism, and other damage caused by prolonged unoccupied farms.
The committee, led by its chairperson, Melania Ndjago, also emphasised the need for the ministry to address the uncontrolled and illegal occupation of resettlement farms, as it hampers the success of projects designated for specific farms.
Additionally, the Kalahari Research Centre should receive the necessary support and funding to operate optimally, with a focus on filling the 16 vacant positions in the establishment.
“The ministry should address the lengthy approval period for selected livestock due for auction as this results in the inability of farmers to find a market for their livestock due to changes in weight and age. Acquire land around Dordabis in order to expand the settlement as a matter of urgency,” the committee urged.
The ministry is also advised to urgently address the situation of the evicted family at Farm Anstatt in Dordabis and other vulnerable families in similar circumstances by providing a resettlement farm for them to occupy. These funds should come from the development budget for group resettlement projects.
The ministry is further instructed the government to construct sufficient earth dams for catchment purposes, so that rain and floodwater can be used for agricultural activities.
“The Ministry should invest in flood adaptation infrastructure in order to mitigate the impact of floods on communities in flood-prone areas. This includes the construction of drainage systems and quality roads fit for flood-prone areas that will allow community members to access basic services such as schools and clinics even during the rainy season,” said the report.
