N$1bn needed for Zambezi green schemes

The Zambezi Region, home to the evergreen Caprivi Strip, needs a N$1 billion injection to finance green scheme projects in a bid to become Namibia's breadbasket, create employment and fight poverty.This was the fervent appeal by the region's governor Lawrence Sampofu to central government and potential investors during an interview on Tuesday.“You cannot go wrong in terms of agriculture in Zambezi,” he said.According to him, 25 000 hectares of land has already been made available by various traditional authorities for this purpose. The establishment of green schemes in the region is the governor's chief priority for the 2020/21 financial year.“We have talked to the government and also we are trying to attract investors,” he said.So far, there is only one green scheme project, the Kalimbeza Rice Project, which has failed to yield the desired results since its inception in 2009.The other green scheme currently underway is the Katima Farm.To have one green scheme 30 years after independence is a disappointment to inhabitants of Zambezi, whose region boasts enormous agricultural potential, evidenced by good annual rainfall, underground water reservoirs and a perennial river, Sampofu conceded.“All these hectares that I am informing you [about], we have been informing the ministry of agriculture and the National Planning Commission (NPC) to start planning for these green schemes in the Zambezi Region. This region could be one of the breadbaskets of Namibia if properly funded and also to fight poverty and unemployment,” he said.So far government has 11 green scheme irrigation projects.Zambezi's neighbour, Kavango East, is the green scheme capital of Namibia, with seven of these projects, while Omusati, Hardap and //Karas each have one green scheme.NAMPA

N$1bn needed for Zambezi green schemes

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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N$1bn needed for Zambezi green schemes

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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