Windhoek — In an effort to advance agricultural development, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform (MAWLR) has dedicated N$20 million for the design of an irrigation scheme at Neckartal Dam, aiming to optimize the dam’s agricultural potential during the 2024/2025 financial year.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the announcement came from Kharas Governor Aletha Frederick while speaking at the ministry’s quarterly management review workshop. Frederick emphasized the need to hasten the procurement process for consultancy services, citing delays and previous tender cancellations that have hampered progress. “This process is long overdue though we understand that there have been a lot of tender cancellations in the past, but I can’t overemphasize the urgency and importance of having an irrigation scheme at Neckartal,” she stated.
Frederick reported that the government has successfully acquired over 19,304 hectares of land around the dam designated for irrigation, though the transition to actual production has been sluggish. She also highlighted the critical water shortages in rural areas of the region, exacerbated by limited resources, which have become a major concern for her constituents, especially the impoverished.
Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the executive director in the ministry, in an interview, explained that the tender for the design and supervision of the project is currently open and will close within two weeks. “Yes, we have acquired the land but are still negotiating with one farmer who has not been cooperative about selling his land to the government. This land is crucial for developing the project to benefit the community through land and plot allocations, allowing them to contribute economically,” she elaborated.
Additionally, Nghituwamata outlined the ministry’s strategy to combat water shortages at Snyfontein by arranging for water transportation from Neckartal to supply the community, with plans to finalize the project by the end of the fourth quarter. “Our presence here is to review and better plan the execution of our projects, ensuring that by the end of the financial year, our objectives are met,” she concluded.
