Kalimbeza: The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruthy Masake, on Friday visited the Kalimbeza Green Scheme Irrigation Project in the Zambezi region to familiarize herself with its operations and challenges.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Masake praised the team at the project for their efforts, emphasizing that specialized crop farming, such as rice, plays a crucial role in achieving national food security goals. “Let me begin by commending each one of you, from the management team to the field workers, for your tireless efforts in making this scheme a functioning and productive operation. Your commitment to food production, especially in such a specialized crop like rice, contributes directly to our national goals of food self-sufficiency, rural development, and economic resilience,” she stated.
Masake highlighted that the Kalimbeza Green Scheme is more than just a farm; it represents innovation and agricultural adaptation in a region traditionally not known for rice cultivation. The project has garnered national and regional attention for its success in this area. She also acknowledged the management team’s leadership in navigating challenges such as climate unpredictability and infrastructural and logistical constraints.
The deputy minister further articulated the government’s vision of agriculture as a key commercial sector for growth and sustainability. She assured that the ministry is aware of the challenges faced by the scheme and is committed to providing the necessary support to ensure its continued success.
During the visit, Kalimbeza Project Manager Patrick Kompeli informed Masake of critical issues, including the non-functional rice processing machine and the need for additional equipment like automated packaging machines, a rice color sorter, and a rotary sieve. Despite receiving an allocation of N.dollars 18 million this financial year, the project is currently unable to generate income due to the processing machine’s malfunction. Kompeli mentioned that N.dollars 8 million from the allocated budget has been earmarked for purchasing a new rice processing machine.
The project currently employs 11 permanent staff members and hires casual workers during the planting season.