Revised Green Scheme launched

THE revised Green Scheme Policy of Government was officially launched by the Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa on Friday.

The policy was originally approved by Cabinet in late 2003 and aims to increase local crop production, as well as fruit and vegetables, in order to reduce imports.’Although agriculture only contributes some 6.4 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GPD), it sustains the majority of Namibians with about 70 per cent of the population relying on agricultural activities for their income,’ Mutorwa said.’The agriculture, water and forestry sectors on a global scale are being increasingly affected by the energy, food and economic crises,’ Mutorwa added.The original Green Scheme Policy received some N$300 million from Government coffers over the past few years, but it did not take off in the desired way, despite several agricultural projects in operation along the Kavango and Orange Rivers. The Etunda agricultural scheme near Ruacana is experiencing financial difficulties. The Ministry set up the Green Scheme Agency in 2004 and the employers received a five-year contract, which will end this year. The employees do not know if the agency will be dissolved or not, one of the workers told The Namibian on Friday. The revised Green Scheme Policy provides for an agro-production unit within the Ministry. This will run the day-to-day management of the Green Scheme and ‘will be staffed with professionals specialised in the relevant fields of the implementation of the Policy,’ according to the brochure launched by the Minister on Friday.Government will invite investors and farmers to partake in large-scale food production projects. According to Andrew Ndishishi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, a marketing unit would be established soon in the Ministry to help export Namibian food and crops. Already, the table grapes produced along the Orange River are mainly exported to Europe and are sought after. ‘Developing indigenous products for markets from plants such as the the maroela or mangetti trees will also receive more emphasis,’ he said.