Mutorwa lists achievements as he exits

Stakeholders in the agriculture sector and staff from the agriculture ministry yesterday gathered to bid farewell to Minister John Mutorwa, who had steered the sector for nearly ten years.Mutorwa, who was appointed as the minister of agriculture in April 2008 and served in the position until last week, was reappointed as works minister during a cabinet reshuffle by President Hage Geingob last week. In an emotional gathering a packed auditorium at the Government Office Park, staff and representatives of Meatco, commercial and communal farmers' unions and the Meat Board of Namibia came together to wish Mutorwa well and say farewell to the man they described as their leader. Mutorwa assured the industry that he was “not lost to them” and as a member of parliament and a cabinet member he would still make contributions to the sector. He said the agriculture and works ministries must work together. According to him one of the areas in which the two ministries must collaborate is with regard to road infrastructure in rural areas. According to him rural farmers produce a lot but have limited access to markets. “I know the plight of the farmers when it comes to access to markets and the poor road infrastructure. Therefore we have to work together.” Mutorwa further urged the ministry staff to continue implementing projects, adding that the relocation of the veterinary cordon fence must be realised. “There are still a lot of farmers that are excluded from the formal market and we cannot afford not to tackle this issue. We will succeed in getting it shifted.”Mutorwa jokingly remarked that he can now openly speak about issues affecting farmers in the northern communal areas as he was no longer the agriculture minister. According to Mutorwa he also farms north of the Red Line. He further added that operators had been appointed at the Katima Mulilo and Oshakati abattoirs but renovations had not commenced at the abattoirs. Meanwhile the Rundu abattoir is almost completed. With regard to the south, the Neckartal Dam is 96% complete. Mutorwa stressed the importance of the dam for the south and the entire country, saying that water has already been flowing into the dam after the recent rains received in the south. “We must green the south of the country. We should not just have Green Schemes at perennial rivers and therefore that dam will be very important for the south and for projects at Mariental.”Agriculture deputy minister Anna Shiweda spoke about some of the achievements at the ministry during Mutorwa's tenure. She listed several policies, bills, laws and projects that were finalised. According to her the most tangible projects were the Green Scheme Project, the establishment of the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), the Agribusiness Development Agency and Fresh Produce Business Hubs, the abattoirs that were constructed and upgraded in the north, and the Neckartal Dam. She further said that Namibia and China would soon sign a new agreement making exports of Namibian beef to China a reality. Policies that were finalised included the Green Scheme Policy, the Food Security Policy, the Water Supply Policy, and the National Rangeland Strategy mentioned the Food Safety Policy. Shiweda also mentioned that acts and laws included the Forestry Act, the Water Resources Management Act, the Meat Industry Act, the Animal Health Act, the Agronomic Bill, the Meat Company Bill and the Seed Variety Bill. “Every year since 2008 a policy or law has been developed under the leadership of Mutorwa,” she said. According to Shiweda despite the challenges the sector has been faced with in the past years the contribution made by Mutorwa has been outstanding. “It is not easy to provide policy direction in a dry country such as Namibia, it takes mental and physical strength, flexibility and sensitivity, and these are all traits seen in Mutorwa.”The ministry's permanent secretary, Percy Misika, said it was difficult to accept that Mutorwa was not at the agriculture ministry anymore.“He was a father, brother, comrade, leader and supervisor to us and we appreciate the guidance that he has given us. The ministry has advanced to greater heights due to his leadership,” he said. ELLANIE SMIT

Mutorwa lists achievements as he exits

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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Mutorwa lists achievements as he exits

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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