Neckartal feasibility study a priority – Schlettwein

Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein has said that a feasibility study of the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Project is a priority for the ministry.He said that the study for the irrigation project should also be extended to include community consultations on the appropriate model for the green scheme that optimises local participation options.Schlettwein made the remarks at a ministerial strategic and annual planning workshop held in Swakopmund.He said it is important for the ministry to commence immediately with critical feasibility studies to ensure timely project planning and budgeting in the next financial year.Important work aheadThe minister said this also holds specific reference to the establishment of a veterinary barrier to effectively prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia into the northern communal areas (NCAs)"Equally, our interventions on the effective veterinary barrier should go beyond conducting the feasibility study to include immediate steps to nullify the effects of the veterinary cordon fence by starting with the compartmentalisation of veterinary zones, commencing with the Kunene Region and Mangetti areas."He said it will also include the assessment of the biosafety level 3 laboratory at the Central Veterinary Laboratory for the establishment of local vaccine production capacity in the future.Effective responsesSchlettwein also stressed the importance of speedily responding to the outbreak of contagious diseases and pests and conducting annual vaccination and farm inspection campaigns as an anchor for Namibia’s continued access to niche markets in the region and across the globe.He further highlighted that the effective management of the green schemes is a key lever for food security and self-sufficiency."We must urgently finalise and implement new lease agreements in respect of the schemes where awards are made to enable a timely injection of private capital and wean off these schemes from the government budget."He said that the three brownfield schemes of Katima Liselo, Tandjeskoppe and Zone Irrigation Projects have recently been re-advertised, and their effective marketing to investors is required to canvass for investor interest.According to him, an irrigation master plan for the country is necessary to leverage smart technologies and realise stepwise expansion of the areas under irrigation as well as private off-takes. "Our best hopes for food security and food self-sufficiency lie in agricultural intensification."

Neckartal feasibility study a priority – Schlettwein

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-15

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Neckartal feasibility study a priority – Schlettwein

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-15

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