N$36m Rundu centre opens

The N$36 million Rundu National Agricultural Technology Centre was inaugurated yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa. Mutorwa said the centre is the first of its kind in Namibia, but a similar centre is being built at Ongwediva in the Oshana Region. It is expected that the Ongwediva National Agricultural Technology Centre will be completed by November 2015. Mutorwa said Namibia has to do everything possible in order to achieve a higher level of technological capability and only through this can the country increase productivity, competiveness and overall economic growth. “This could be achieved through investment in infrastructure such as the centre in infrastructure and training, the workforce with the required competency to operate the machines and implements that will be needed in this centre and elsewhere.” According to him the Rundu National Agricultural Technology Centre is meant to provide essential services to Namibia’s farming communities, including the repair and servicing of farm implements. He said farmers would save time and money by not having to travel long distances for such services. The Rundu Agricultural Technology Centre will also assemble farm implements from various manufacturers and the local adaptation would make them more appropriate to Namibian conditions. Furthermore the centre will sell spare parts and manufacture accessories like nuts and bolts and will be involved in scientific research and technololgical development. Mutorwa said the rainy seasons in Namibia are generally short and unpredictable and farmers cannot afford to lose valuable time waiting for these essential services. “There is an absolute justification as to why this centre and others have to be built in rural areas nearer to the farmers and their activities.” He said the main objective of the Agricultural Technology Centre (ATC) is to set up a comprehensive agricultural machinery and equipment management system in order to support farmers at Green Scheme projects as well as subsistence farmers. The centres will be involved in assembling, repairing and in the maintenance of agricultural machinery and equipment, as well as research and development that could lead to the manufacturing and development of new and sustainable agricultural technologies. WINDHOEK ELLANIE SMIT