Agriculture, water and land reform deputy minister Anna Shiweda has emphasised the significance of shaping the future of Namibia’s agricultural landscape.
Shiweda was speaking at a stakeholders’ consultative workshop for proposed regulations under the Seed and Seed Varieties Act on Wednesday morning.
Shiweda said the purpose of the workshop was to consult stakeholders and garner insights on the proposed regulations for the Seed and Seed Varieties Act (No.23 of 2018).
“It presents us with an opportunity to solicit inputs from all our stakeholders in order to finalise the regulations,” she said.
Shiweda highlighted the importance of considering the diverse needs of both small-scale and commercial farmers, acknowledging their crucial role in Namibia’s socio-economic development.
Shiweda further expressed gratitude at the progress made in drafting regulations aligned with international standards and regional agreements.
She emphasised the need for coordination between legal frameworks and regulatory bodies to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the seed industry.
Shiweda acknowledged the challenges faced by the Directorate of Agricultural Research and Development in maintaining breeding programmes and seed production with limited resources.
The workshop, which marked a significant milestone in the regulatory process, signalled a step forward in formalising Namibia’s seed industry and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.
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