Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform is repairing and servicing tractors and agricultural implements across the country to ensure farmers are adequately supported ahead of the upcoming ploughing season.
The nationwide intervention is currently underway in Rundu, Kavango East Region, where the ministry is working to restore government-owned agricultural machinery and prepare it for deployment to farming communities.
Chief Agricultural Scientific Officer Moses Munenge said the region originally had 55 tractors, but three were deemed beyond salvage, leaving 52 available for farmers.
Photos: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform
Of these, nine have already been serviced by a private service provider, while the current repair team is expected to work on the remaining 43.
Munenge said the 43 tractors require varying levels of repairs, ranging from minor fixes to major repairs.
The team has already assessed and worked on seven tractors, although some are still awaiting spare parts.
“If all goes well, we’ll have 43 tractors at our disposal,” Munenge said.
The region also has 50 agricultural implements, consisting of 27 disc harrows, 16 mouldboard ploughs and seven planters.
However, only six of the implements are currently in working condition, with the remainder requiring repairs.
Munenge said the ministry hopes to have about 30 implements ready for the ploughing season, depending on the progress of the repair programme.
“If all goes well that the current team can push, we might at least start the season with, let’s say, 30 implements,” he said.
He added that the ministry may have to procure new implements if the existing equipment cannot be repaired in time, although such procurement could take longer.
Munenge urged farmers to register at their nearest agricultural offices when registration is opened, saying this would enable the ministry to determine where tractors and other services are needed.
“We really want our farmers to register so that we know how to deploy these tractors,” he said.
He explained that registration helps the ministry determine how many tractors should be deployed to each area based on demand.
The ministry will also use radio announcements to inform farmers about where government tractors will be deployed before the ploughing season begins.
Under the proposed pricing structure, farmers using government tractors will pay N$350 per hectare for services such as ploughing, planting and reaping.
Farmers who use private tractors participating in the programme will have 60% of the cost covered by the government, up to a maximum subsidy of N$500 per hectare.
The programme also provides support for farmers using draft animal power, including oxen and donkeys.
For such services, the government will cover 60% of the cost, up to a maximum of N$350 per hectare.
Munenge said farmers should therefore make use of whichever approved agricultural service is available in their areas, whether government tractors, participating private tractor owners or draft animal power providers.
