Farmer participation voluntary

On invitation of President Geingob the agricultural sector comprising of the Meat Board, Agronomic Board, the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) and the Namibia National Farmers’ Union (NNFU) visited State House to specifically talk about the planned foodbank of which the first in the country will be opened tomorrow.The foodbank is an initiative of the Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare to help needy persons and communities to “not go to sleep hungry”. Minister Zephania Kameeta is assisted by Ambassador Angel Dalmau of Cuba to implement the foodbank. In his opening President Geingob again emphasised that he dreams of a Namibian house in which all citizens are accommodated. “No one should be left out,” he said.Unfortunately the reality is still that in spite of peace and stability there are still many people who go to bed hungry and this could threaten the political peace and stability. Ambassador Dalmau gave a short overview about what is planned with the foodbank. According to him, “It is not only a building in which food is stored and processed, but it includes the formation of street committees to determine the real needy people.” He added that the cut-off point is N$400 income per household and it is specifically these people who have to be assisted. The ministry already formed 21 and 17 street committees respectively in two communities in Windhoek. This serves as a pilot project for further expansion to other areas and regions. Patricia Gurubes of the Meat Board said in her presentation that the Meat Board has decided to contribute N$50 000 for this initiative. She however also made use of this opportunity to bring under the attention of President Geingob the negative effect which the closure of the border for export of livestock to South Africa will have on Namibian agriculture and requested him to enter on political level. Her sentiment was confirmed by the President of the NAU, Ryno van der Merwe. Van der Merwe informed the President that the NAU already spoke to Minister Kameeta and Ambassador Dalmau about the to-be-formed foodbank. “Even though the NAU supports this initiative, we are concerned about the logistics of especially in case that the farmers contributing fresh meat to the foodbank,” he said. Minister Kameeta confirmed this meeting and also expressed his appreciation towards the NAU for the practical and valuable inputs for the foodbank. President Geingob emphasised that the meeting was not meant to put anybody under pressure, but rather to sensitise the agricultural sector and participation in the foodbank will be completely voluntary. STAFF REPORTER

Farmer participation voluntary

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-25

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Farmer participation voluntary

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-25

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