ONGANDJERA – The Ongandjera Traditional Authority has availed more than 60 hectares of fertile land to the government for agricultural development, in a move aimed at boosting food production, creating employment and improving livelihoods.
The land, made available by Omukwaniilwa Johannes Mupiya, comprises 9.9 hectares at Olupelengwa and 50.5 hectares at Onamatanga in the Omusati region.
The initiative was highlighted during Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare’s courtesy visit to the Omukwaniilwa’s palace, where he commended the traditional authority for making the land available for productive use.
Speaking on the importance of agriculture, Mupiya said agricultural development should also focus on empowering young people to become producers and create sustainable sources of income. He added that agriculture provides the youth with an opportunity to produce food for their own consumption while generating income through the sale of surplus produce.
“Agriculture is very important to our youth because they can produce their own food and create income. It can help fight poverty and create employment,” the chief said.
He added that agriculture could help reduce dependence on formal employment, particularly among young people, by encouraging them to venture into farming and other agricultural value-chain activities.
“Agriculture can also create opportunities beyond crop production, including livestock farming, food processing, transportation, marketing and the sale of agricultural inputs. Such activities can contribute to the development of rural economies and provide young people with opportunities to establish sustainable businesses,” he added.
Ngurare said agriculture is one of the key priority areas of the Eighth Administration, stressing that partnerships between Government and traditional authorities can play an important role in unlocking land for agricultural production and strengthening national food security
He said similar initiatives could be replicated across the country to expand food production and strengthen national food security.
The Prime Minister referred to a similar agricultural initiative involving the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority in the Omaheke region, saying such partnerships demonstrate how traditional authorities can play an important role in making land available for productive activities.
“Under the proposed approach, traditional authorities would identify and make land available for agricultural projects, while Government would support the development of water infrastructure, including boreholes, in consultation with the respective traditional authorities.”
Ngurare further called for collective efforts between Government and traditional authorities to accelerate the development of the Etaka Canal into a reliable water source for communities and agricultural activities. Meanwhile, Ngurare proposed that each traditional authority along the canal identify and take responsibility for developing at least five kilometres, with Government providing support through the Food-for-Work and Cash-for-Work programmes to improve water flow and water retention. He urged the Ongandjera Traditional Authority to identify its five-kilometre section and commence work with Government support as soon as possible.
“Let us start this year. We need to be able to action these things and not merely talk,” Ngurare said.
He further encouraged other traditional authorities, including Uukolonkadhi, Uukwaluudhi and Uukwambi, to join the initiative so that the Etaka Canal can ultimately be developed as a shared water source benefiting communities across the area.
Ngurare linked the canal development to broader efforts to harness water flowing from Calueque in Angola, saying the available resource should be effectively channelled and utilised to support agricultural development in Namibia.
“The development of the agricultural land at Olupelengwa and Onamatanga, together with improved access to water, could provide a foundation for increased agricultural production and create opportunities for communities to participate in the agricultural value chain.” He said office will continue coordinating with traditional authorities and relevant stakeholders to translate the proposals into practical interventions aimed at improving livelihoods, creating employment and strengthening national food security.
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