More than 5 500 Namibians resettled through land reform programme
New farmers receive training
The handover included intensive training and mentorship to prepare beneficiaries for sustainable commercial farming.
Jacques du Toit
A total of 5 518 Namibians have now been resettled under the country’s Land Reform Programme, following the latest handover of farming units to 22 new beneficiaries.
This milestone was marked at a special Pre-Settlement Training Workshop held in the Omaheke Region, where new commercial farmers received both training and allotment letters for their land.
The event was addressed on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, by Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate. He highlighted the significance of this 12th round of farmer induction and training, which he said demonstrated the ministry’s ongoing commitment to sustainable land reform.
According to the ministry, 22 farming units on 13 farms in the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, and Erongo regions have been allocated. These include units on farms such as Andrada, Omukandi, Omkeer, Wiums Rus, Fiesta, and Neu Schwaben. Selection took place across multiple application periods between March 2023 and December 2024, with thousands of applicants competing for the limited slots.
Heavy responsibility
“While today is a joyous occasion, it also reminds us that many Namibians who qualified could not be accommodated,” the speech noted. The new farmers now carry a heavy responsibility to make their farming units productive, become self-sufficient and contribute to national food security and GDP growth.
In line with the National Resettlement Policy of 2001, the ministry, working closely with Agribank, is implementing pre- and post-settlement support programmes. These include mentorships, farmer information days, short courses, and excursions aimed at building the capacity of new farmers.
The new resettled farmers also underwent intensive training covering: infrastructure maintenance, livestock and game management, rangeland and fodder production, pig and poultry production, vegetable production and marketing.
The minister urged beneficiaries to use this knowledge effectively, continue engaging with mentors, and take the opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods that contribute to poverty eradication.
A total of 5 518 Namibians have now been resettled under the country’s Land Reform Programme, following the latest handover of farming units to 22 new beneficiaries.
This milestone was marked at a special Pre-Settlement Training Workshop held in the Omaheke Region, where new commercial farmers received both training and allotment letters for their land.
The event was addressed on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, by Omaheke Governor Pijoo Nganate. He highlighted the significance of this 12th round of farmer induction and training, which he said demonstrated the ministry’s ongoing commitment to sustainable land reform.
According to the ministry, 22 farming units on 13 farms in the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, and Erongo regions have been allocated. These include units on farms such as Andrada, Omukandi, Omkeer, Wiums Rus, Fiesta, and Neu Schwaben. Selection took place across multiple application periods between March 2023 and December 2024, with thousands of applicants competing for the limited slots.
Heavy responsibility
“While today is a joyous occasion, it also reminds us that many Namibians who qualified could not be accommodated,” the speech noted. The new farmers now carry a heavy responsibility to make their farming units productive, become self-sufficient and contribute to national food security and GDP growth.
In line with the National Resettlement Policy of 2001, the ministry, working closely with Agribank, is implementing pre- and post-settlement support programmes. These include mentorships, farmer information days, short courses, and excursions aimed at building the capacity of new farmers.
The new resettled farmers also underwent intensive training covering: infrastructure maintenance, livestock and game management, rangeland and fodder production, pig and poultry production, vegetable production and marketing.
The minister urged beneficiaries to use this knowledge effectively, continue engaging with mentors, and take the opportunity to build sustainable livelihoods that contribute to poverty eradication.
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