EENHANA: The key to increasing income and reducing poverty essentially and practically means the enhancement of agricultural production at household level in a sustainable manner.

Agriculture, Water and Forestry Minister John Mutorwa said this at Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region yesterday when he addressed an annual meeting of members of the National Mahangu Consultative Forum (NMCF).

The NMCF meeting, which was aimed at planning and sharing experiences and challenges faced by mahangu producers in the country, preceded the Oshipe Festival, which is to award farmers who have produced bumper harvests of mahangu this year.

The Oshipe Festival is taking place today at Eenhana, where President Hifikepunye Pohamba is expected to officiate.

Mutorwa said that in the crops’ sub-sector, his ministry is pursuing the attainment of set objectives and targets through programmes such as the Green Scheme and Dryland Crop Production (DLCP).

The Governor of the Kunene Region Josua //Hoebeb is expected to officially receive 2 000 bags of maize meal from the Namibia East China Non-Ferrous Investment company on 14 September this year to assist people who are faced with drought in the region.

Coordinator of the Namibia East China Non-Ferrous Investment, Steyn Mbunga told Nampa in a telephonic interview yesterday that the donation is part of their social responsibility to the community of Kunene Region that has been declared drought-stricken, and to meet the government halfway in trying to assist its people.

Mbumuna Muhuka, the personal assistant of the Kunene Governor, confirmed to Nampa that the 2 000 10 kilogramme bags of maize meal had already been delivered earlier this month, and are in a local warehouse ready for distribution.

The handing over was supposed to take place yesterday, but could not materialise due to //Hoebeb being out of the region with other official duties.

The Namibia East China Non-Ferrous Investment recently discovered large deposits of iron ore in the Kunene Region, and is also exploring lead, copper and zink at various places in Namibia.