Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Agriculture will implement the Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme (CCAP) across all regions to raise awareness of conservation agriculture, particularly among small and medium-scale cereal and horticulture farmers.
This announcement was made by the ministry’s Executive Director, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, who disclosed that the CCAP has been allocated N$3,000,000 for the 2024-2025 financial year.
“The overall objective of the programme is to reduce and reverse land degradation and mitigate the impact of climate change through the adoption of Conservation Agriculture (CA) as a basis for sustainable crop production and improved food security at both national and farm levels,” Nghituwamata explained.
She added that through the programme, the ministry aims to promote continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance, permanent organic soil cover, and crop species diversification. Nghituwamata further highlighted that the programme also seeks to conduct farmer-focused research to develop appropriate conservation agriculture technologies and practices for various farming systems.
Additionally, she mentioned that the programme intends to establish institutional arrangements for the harmonised and coordinated implementation of the programme, develop standards, monitor and evaluate the adoption and impact of conservation agriculture, and ensure that farmers have access to conservation agriculture equipment, inputs, services, and markets.
“The government recognises that it cannot implement the programmes alone and therefore considers the involvement of stakeholders as key to the programme’s success,” Nghituwamata added.
She highlighted the Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES) as a key stakeholder that will oversee the implementation of the programme in the regions, including awareness creation, monitoring, and facilitating training through demonstrations, exposure visits, farmer information sessions, and field days.
Nghituwamata added that the Directorate of Research and Development (DARD) will lead all research-related aspects of the programme, including soil analysis and fertility management options, providing foundation seeds for multiplication, and developing and adapting farm implements, machinery, and evidence-based practices and technologies to improve yields.
“Furthermore, DARD will coordinate research activities with academic and other research institutions,” she added.
Nghituwamata also revealed that the implementing Regional Councils shall be responsible for payments related to the programme. Furthermore, she added, the Regional Councils together with the DAPEES Regional Heads shall provide financial reports and bank statements for the programme, while traditional authorities and Regional Councillors shall support the creation of awareness about the programme.
The Executive Director revealed that a total of N$2,800,000 will be transferred to the Regional Councils for the implementation of the programme. Of this total, Regional Councils in the Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, Kunene, Omaheke, and Otjozondjupa regions will each receive N$240,000 for the implementation of the project, while Regional Councils in the Khomas, Hardap, Erongo, and //Kharas regions will receive N$100,000 each.
