Neckartal land acquisition at 85%

A total area of irrigable land of approximately 4 250 hectares, or 85% of the required 5 000 hectares, has been acquired for the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Scheme.Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said this in his response to questions by the Landless People&#039;s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi in parliament.Schlettwein said several farms of more than 11 000 hectares were acquired by the agriculture ministry for the irrigation scheme which were valued at more than N$18.5 million.These farms include Farm Dagbreek (No. 420), the remainder of Portion 2 of Farm Schlangkopf (No. 124), and Portion 4 of Farm Eppenau (No. 123).PhasesHe explained that the government, through the ministry, spearheaded the development of the Neckartal Dam for rainwater harvesting and irrigation purposes.Phase I of the project, the construction of the dam, has since been completed."The next phase, the development of the irrigation project, entails the acquisition of land for the related water distribution infrastructure and the irrigation area itself."According to Schlettwein, several farms in the proximity of the dam are earmarked to be acquired for all the related purposes of actualising a large-scale irrigation project, such as servitude, the balancing dam, water distribution infrastructure and the irrigation area.He stated that the consultation process with concerned landowners began in 2014."Progress is made in this regard, and it is on the basis of the agreements reached that a total of more than 11 000 hectares have been recently acquired and to the extent financial resource were available."Schlettwein said that consultation on the remaining hectares of land is still ongoing.Suitability testsThe ministry conducted a feasibility study in April 2010 to determine the suitability of irrigation soils around Neckartal Dam, the minister added."The study identified more than 5 000 ha of irrigable land on both sides,” he said."The soils were classified according to a five-class system, of which only classes 1 and 2 were considered as eligible candidates and deemed suitable for irrigation purposes. Class 3 soils were also regarded as suitable, but they can only become suitable after a rectification of the soil’s limitations, which may be costly."Schlettwein further stressed that the land acquired cannot be characterised as wasteland, as water distribution infrastructure and other logistics do not have to be constructed on irrigable land.Multiple uses"Our decision to acquire the said farms was guided by the technical soil suitability assessment findings. Investment in, and operation of the green schemes, entail a host of other ancillary infrastructure across the value chain, for which land is needed. Hence other value chain activities such as feedlots, cold rooms, and intensive animal farming could be carried out on other portions of land, which a layman’s eye could regard as wasteland."He added that it is important to note that land that is not suitable for irrigation does not mean it cannot be used for other purposes or be improved.A budget of about N$10 million is proposed for the financial year 2023-2024 to commence with the design of the Neckartal Irrigation Scheme, Schlettwein said.The minister said out of the 5 000 hectares of irrigation scheme, a designated portion of land will be earmarked and allocated to medium and small-scale farmers.

Neckartal land acquisition at 85%

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-06-09

Please login to leave a comment

Neckartal land acquisition at 85%

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-06-09

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content