Maria David
ASPARAGUS does not prevent rain and weather stations cannot change weather patterns, contrary to claims of protesting Etunda farmers who on Friday demanded the end of the Asparagus Project that employs 800 people who in turn sustain almost 5 000 others.
Farmers claim the Asparagus Project and the weather station there are interfering with weather patterns and keeping the rain from falling.
Minister of Agriculture Calle Schlettwein dismissed the allegations as ridiculous misinformation, saying this action might lead to job losses for hundreds of people.
Those employed at the project feed close to 4 800 people and if the project shuts down, thousands will be affected and pushed into poverty.
“It is totally unfounded and ridiculous to think the plantation itself reduces the change of rain in the region, and that the asparagus plant has a negative effect on the rain,” Schlettwein said.
He said asparagus is a vital part of the total food value chain operating in Namibia, from planting to consumer benefit.
“Weather stations are installed to study the weather pattern in any country but do not change the weather,” the Minister said.
He explained that there are millions of weather stations in the world, and Namibia is no exception.
Weather stations do nothing besides measure wind, humidity, temperature and rain, and have nothing to do with a change in the weather patterns, he said.
“There is no evidence that the equipment and weather station have anything to do with change in weather. It only continuously measures weather.”
The Minister said he wished he could give all farmers a small weather station so they could see how the weather is observed.
