The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has procured 350 tractors through the Namibia Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project (Namsip) this year.
This was revealed by executive director of agriculture, water and land reform Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata at the handover of certificates to farm machinery operator trainees at the Mashare Agricultural Development Institute in the Kavango East region on Saturday.
Nghituwamata said the ministry, with financial access through the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises to the African Development Bank, has implemented the project.
She said agricultural mechanisation is being implemented in all 14 regions of the country, while a certified seed system is implemented in the 10 crop-growing regions.
“The ministry through Namsip has procured 350 tractors with matching implements as an intervention that is aimed at enabling farmers to complete their farm operations in an efficient and timely manner through the provision of mechanised services,” Nghituwamata said.
The tractors have been delivered to various regions.
Nghituwamata said to ensure the sustained and continuous provision of mechanised services to farmers, the ministry conducted training which aimed at equipping farm machinery operators with knowledge and skills in farm machinery operation and management.
She said the role of machinery operators in appropriate use and good maintenance cannot be underestimated.
“In recent times, significant advances have been achieved in agricultural production and industry – greatly through the use of machinery, equipment and other technical systems,” Nghituwamata said.
She said modern agriculture is largely dependent on technologies and their management on farms and in the food industry.
CHALLENGES
Nghituwamata said one of the key challenges affecting food security in Namibia is the inability of rural producers to timely access agricultural inputs required for effective land preparation, planting, weeding and harvesting.
“This challenge negatively affects agricultural production, post-harvest handling and marketing.
The agricultural mechanisation component of the project will therefore enable farmers to complete farming operations in a timely manner, especially in the crop production regions where rain-fed farming is practised,” she said.
She said it would also help increase productivity and reduce the cost of cultivation.
TRAINING
A total of 438 farm machinery operators have been recruited, of which 152 graduated.
Out of the 152, 39 are from the Mashare Irrigation Training Centre, 33 from the Mashare Agricultural Development Institute, 41 from the Okashana Rural Development Centre, and 39 from the Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre.
The graduates have completed a mandatory one-month training course on the operation and maintenance of agricultural machinery and equipment.
“This kind of training offered by the ministry is the first of its kind in ensuring that operators are well skilled . . ,” Nghituwamata said.
Training for the remaining 286 farm machinery operators will be conducted early next year.
Speaking at the same event, Kavango East governor Bonifasius Wakudumo urged tractor drivers to respect themselves and the communities in which they operate.
He urged them to refrain from using alcohol while ploughing.
“Tractors and alcohol do not go hand in hand. We must know when to get on the tractor and when to socialise,” Wakudumo said.
The governor said if not handled with care, tractors and equipment could be seriously damaged.
“Handle them with care, take ownership – not this attitude of saying the government will repair them …” Wakudumo said.
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