Agriculture consumes 75% of water
The agricultural sector consumes about 75% of water in the country, with the commercial agricultural sector being the largest consumer and communal farmers being the least.
This according to agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein at the commemoration of World Food Day held at Kayova Village in the Ndiyona Constituency in the Kavango East Region.
The minister’s speech was read on his behalf by NamWater CEO Abraham Nehemia.
The day was commemorated under the theme 'Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind'.
Schlettwein said the theme highlights the importance of water globally as a driving force for people, economies, nature and the foundation of food.
Higher demand
He said it also enhances understanding about the wise use and sustainable management of this valuable resource.
“The demand for water in the world, and particularly for Namibia, has been increasing and will continue to do so over the coming decades due to population growth, socio-economic development, and the demand for food production.”
Schlettwein said 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries, and many of these are smallholder farmers who already struggle to meet their daily needs.
"As we commemorate this day, we are reminded that we need to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less water while ensuring that water is distributed equally.”
Challenge
He said Namibia’s rainfall patterns are highly variable and extremely unpredictable, making water resource management a serious challenge.
He said Namibia, as a country, is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and is naturally prone to droughts and floods.
“Once again this year, we find ourselves grappling with drought conditions due to insufficient rainfall during the 2022/2023 rain season.”
Schlettwein said the overarching issue of water supply is of significant concern across many regions of the country, whereby many rain-fed water catchments have limited water while others have completely dried up.
Namibian communal agricultural practices are heavily dependent on rain, which has become a challenge in recent years due to its variability and scarcity.
“We further need to fully understand the increasing pressure on our freshwater resources to be able to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone. If we mismatch water demand to the available water resources, we run the risk of depleting our resources faster than expected.”
Action taken
He said during the 2022/2023 financial year, 21 boreholes were drilled in the Kavango East Region.
This year, between March and June, 18 boreholes with water point infrastructures were installed, whereas three boreholes were rehabilitated in the Kavango East Region to guarantee a stable water supply for the local population.
Two short pipelines were also constructed in Rundu rural and Mashare constituencies during the same period.
In addition, government is in the process of installing two mini desalination plants in Mashare constituency at Mukuni-Shighuru and Vikota water points to ensure reliable, potable water for rural communities.
This according to agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein at the commemoration of World Food Day held at Kayova Village in the Ndiyona Constituency in the Kavango East Region.
The minister’s speech was read on his behalf by NamWater CEO Abraham Nehemia.
The day was commemorated under the theme 'Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind'.
Schlettwein said the theme highlights the importance of water globally as a driving force for people, economies, nature and the foundation of food.
Higher demand
He said it also enhances understanding about the wise use and sustainable management of this valuable resource.
“The demand for water in the world, and particularly for Namibia, has been increasing and will continue to do so over the coming decades due to population growth, socio-economic development, and the demand for food production.”
Schlettwein said 2.4 billion people live in water-stressed countries, and many of these are smallholder farmers who already struggle to meet their daily needs.
"As we commemorate this day, we are reminded that we need to produce more food and other essential agricultural commodities with less water while ensuring that water is distributed equally.”
Challenge
He said Namibia’s rainfall patterns are highly variable and extremely unpredictable, making water resource management a serious challenge.
He said Namibia, as a country, is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and is naturally prone to droughts and floods.
“Once again this year, we find ourselves grappling with drought conditions due to insufficient rainfall during the 2022/2023 rain season.”
Schlettwein said the overarching issue of water supply is of significant concern across many regions of the country, whereby many rain-fed water catchments have limited water while others have completely dried up.
Namibian communal agricultural practices are heavily dependent on rain, which has become a challenge in recent years due to its variability and scarcity.
“We further need to fully understand the increasing pressure on our freshwater resources to be able to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone. If we mismatch water demand to the available water resources, we run the risk of depleting our resources faster than expected.”
Action taken
He said during the 2022/2023 financial year, 21 boreholes were drilled in the Kavango East Region.
This year, between March and June, 18 boreholes with water point infrastructures were installed, whereas three boreholes were rehabilitated in the Kavango East Region to guarantee a stable water supply for the local population.
Two short pipelines were also constructed in Rundu rural and Mashare constituencies during the same period.
In addition, government is in the process of installing two mini desalination plants in Mashare constituency at Mukuni-Shighuru and Vikota water points to ensure reliable, potable water for rural communities.
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