Kavango East’s agri potential impresses
NYANGANA – The high commissioner of South Africa to Namibia, William Whitehead, is impressed by the Kavango East Region’s potential in agricultural activities.
Whitehead, accompanied by the governor of Kavango East, Samuel Mbambo, visited the Rundu abattoir being constructed by the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry and the various green schemes such as Ndonga Linena and Shadikongoro last week during his familiarisation visit to the region.
On Wednesday, Whitehead said as Namibia and South Africa are both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), it is important to look into areas of potential economic cooperation between the two countries, both in the private and public sector.
He added that it is vital for the two countries to collaborate to form an expansion of SADC’s mandate to ensure that there is cooperation on infrastructural issues, the private sector, knowledge and experience sharing.
He said considering the fertility of the soil in the region, there is huge potential in successful agriculture that can contribute to food security.
“I was very impressed with the potential for agriculture in this particular province when you consider the richness of the soil. The issue is that there are projects going on as we visited the dairy farm and the abattoir which is near completion, and these are the areas where we can find some cooperation,” said the South African diplomat.
Asked how South Africa can assist Namibia in the areas of agriculture, Whitehead said it is not a question of South Africa assisting Namibia, but a question of that abattoir functioning and serving the region.
“It is also a question to bring Namibian and South African businesses together to ensure growth of these industries in both countries and not necessarily Namibia only, but South Africa also in order to grow and exchange expertise and skills and other related issues,” said Whitehead.
The South African representative visited the Rundu state-of-the-art abattoir and meat processing facility, which is about 90% completed. The abattoir cost government about N$110.8 million and is expected to be finalised before September this year.
In addition, Whitehead paid a visit to the Uvhungu-Vhungu dairy farm, which is also set for completion this year. – Nampa
Whitehead, accompanied by the governor of Kavango East, Samuel Mbambo, visited the Rundu abattoir being constructed by the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry and the various green schemes such as Ndonga Linena and Shadikongoro last week during his familiarisation visit to the region.
On Wednesday, Whitehead said as Namibia and South Africa are both members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), it is important to look into areas of potential economic cooperation between the two countries, both in the private and public sector.
He added that it is vital for the two countries to collaborate to form an expansion of SADC’s mandate to ensure that there is cooperation on infrastructural issues, the private sector, knowledge and experience sharing.
He said considering the fertility of the soil in the region, there is huge potential in successful agriculture that can contribute to food security.
“I was very impressed with the potential for agriculture in this particular province when you consider the richness of the soil. The issue is that there are projects going on as we visited the dairy farm and the abattoir which is near completion, and these are the areas where we can find some cooperation,” said the South African diplomat.
Asked how South Africa can assist Namibia in the areas of agriculture, Whitehead said it is not a question of South Africa assisting Namibia, but a question of that abattoir functioning and serving the region.
“It is also a question to bring Namibian and South African businesses together to ensure growth of these industries in both countries and not necessarily Namibia only, but South Africa also in order to grow and exchange expertise and skills and other related issues,” said Whitehead.
The South African representative visited the Rundu state-of-the-art abattoir and meat processing facility, which is about 90% completed. The abattoir cost government about N$110.8 million and is expected to be finalised before September this year.
In addition, Whitehead paid a visit to the Uvhungu-Vhungu dairy farm, which is also set for completion this year. – Nampa
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