Placido Hilukilwa
THE Division of Lands in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has made significant progress during the current financial year, said Aletha Fredericks, the Governor of the ||Karas Region, during her welcoming remarks at an indaba of Ministry officials taking place in Keetmanshoop from 7 to 11 October.
The workshop is reviewing the achievements registered during the 2024/2025 financial year.
According to Fredericks, 154 customary land rights were registered; six leaseholds were issued to enhance tenure security and facilitate lease fee collection, and a total of 166.0479 hectares of land were acquired for resettlement purposes.
Additionally, two farms were valued for potential acquisition in relation to the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Scheme.
Regarding lease agreements, she said that two lease agreements were signed for farming units, while boreholes were sited, drilled, and installed on twenty-five farming units.
“The Division of Agricultural Extension Services has also made notable strides,” she said. “Lead farmers were trained, demonstration plots were established, and farmers were trained in climate-smart agriculture,” said Fredericks.
The 2024/2025 financial year achievements also included providing farmers with advice and training on horticulture production. Community and school gardens were also supported.
The Governor went on to highlight several other achievements, including the Small Stock Distribution and Development Program (SSDDCA), in which small livestock were distributed to farmers. Farmers were also trained in poultry production.
She said that fodder and licks are being sold at subsidized rates to farmers as part of the drought relief program.
