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11:44Last update on: 13 Aug 2013
The Namibian
Tue 13 Aug 2013
SMS Of The Day * THIS nation is in dire need of a massive conference on housing. When we experienced a crisis in the education sector a crisis-control brain-storming conference was organised which resulted in the best deal ever for the Namibian child, nam Food For Thought * BOURGEOISIE has become a daily occupation if not the order of the day of the upper-echelons, President Hifikepunye Pohamba we urge you to revisit this unpatriotic geocentricism among your staff and the well-connected, for everybody to r Bouquets And Brickbats * COMMISSIONER of Prisons, can you please explain the strategies you use to appoint officers to certain positions? It is my observation that you are being fed with wrong information then you just promote individuals without making p SMS Of The Day * I THINK Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda lost his belt because of this promoter and trainer. How can a world champion still be training at the Katutura Youth Complex where there is not enough equipment. I think they must follow the example of Ha Food For Thought * NAMIBIA Dairies are unable to match low prices of imported milk and this ultimately means the consumer will have to pay more for local milk. Look at the prices of the local chicken. All these profits are going in the pockets of a few in Bouquets And Brickbats * I AM pleased to hear that Cabinet has responded positively to the proposal of Namibia Dairies to support the industry. The restrictions which support the industry by reducing competition to ensure the survival of the industry is a SMS Of The Day * CEO’s golden handshakes. Somewhere on our statute books there must be a provision that if a board of directors suspends/dismisses a CEO without due regard to legal provision (substantive/procedural law) such board must carry the costs for Food For Thought * JACKY Asheeke was so right with her last column- why are the fathers of the dead children not being prosecuted? (Reference to the children who died in shack fires last week) Our justice system still protects men over women. In this cont Bouquets And Brickbats * ALEXACTUS Kaure, your column in Friday’s newspaper opened my eyes. One hardly finds impartial case study analysers in Namibia. Let’s not destroy the Polytechnic’s strong foundation (Tjivikua) as yet. At least wait until the transf SMS Of The Day * WHY doesn’t NBC listen when they are criticised? The little red chairs on Good Morning Namibia have done their part and are dirty especially at the arm rests. Please listen for once. You interview professionals and internationals on those Food For Thought * MINISTRY of Education, in order to address the shortages of teachers at primary schools why don’t you consider employing us who hold a diploma in lifelong learning and community education for teaching posts? We also did health education Bouquets And Brickbats * MY fellow Namibians, I am not a Swapo member but a third term for President Hifikepuye Pohamba will be a step closer towards attainment of Vision 2030. Believe me His Excellency has made crucial bold decisions, and I don’t regret
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NEWS - AGRICULTURE
| 2013-08-13
Land valuations increased up to 987% - NAU
STAFF REPORTER
THE Executive Council of the Namibia Agricultural Union says there is a lot of conformity between the land valuations and the agro ecological zones but certain ways through which final valuations have been reached remain questionable.
The Executive Council of the NAU recently scrutinised the Provisional Valuation Rolls which were released in July this year.
“When analysing the Valuation Roll it is clear that the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement gave a lot of attention to correspond the land valuation with the carrying capacity and the agro ecological zones in Namibia,” NAU said in a statement.
However, the NAU said land valuations do not reflect the real situation on the ground.
“Even though there is a similarity with the carrying capacity and agro ecological zones, it is unexplainable how the valuation of agricultural land with a carrying capacity of 1:18 large stock units is the same as agricultural land with a carrying capacity of 1:8. An example of this is the valuation in the Aroab vicinity at N$550/ha and the one in the high carrying capacity area of Otavi with N$570/ha,” NAU said.
Accordiong to the NAU analysis the valuations have increased between 120% and 987% since 2007.
“The Executive Council came to the conclusion that there is an inherent lack in the model of valuation as it is currently reflected in the regulations. The fact that the current model is based on the purchase value of land creates a serious problem and is for the purpose of valuation of agricultural land most probably not suitable,” it said.
The NAU argues that the ability of agricultural land to generate money to pay tax would be more suitable and should the production value of land be used as basis for the determination of land tax.
“The drastic increase in land values and the coupled high land tax, however, will force the commercial agricultural sector onto its knees with a negative effect on the agricultural economy and employment creation in the agricultural sector. Against the background of the current drought and the re-building of a herd after the drought which could take as long as five years, many land owners will simply not be able to fend for themselves,” the NAU said.
The commercial farmers said they will appeal to Government to re-consider the rate of 0,75% on which land is taxed and adjust it downwards to an affordable rate.
The NAU said they are preparing a document for discussion with the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the Ministry of Finance.
THE Executive Council of the Namibia Agricultural Union says there is a lot of conformity between the land valuations and the agro ecological zones but certain ways through which final valuations have been reached remain questionable.
The Executive Council of the NAU recently scrutinised the Provisional Valuation Rolls which were released in July this year.
“When analysing the Valuation Roll it is clear that the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement gave a lot of attention to correspond the land valuation with the carrying capacity and the agro ecological zones in Namibia,” NAU said in a statement.
However, the NAU said land valuations do not reflect the real situation on the ground.
“Even though there is a similarity with the carrying capacity and agro ecological zones, it is unexplainable how the valuation of agricultural land with a carrying capacity of 1:18 large stock units is the same as agricultural land with a carrying capacity of 1:8. An example of this is the valuation in the Aroab vicinity at N$550/ha and the one in the high carrying capacity area of Otavi with N$570/ha,” NAU said.
Accordiong to the NAU analysis the valuations have increased between 120% and 987% since 2007.
“The Executive Council came to the conclusion that there is an inherent lack in the model of valuation as it is currently reflected in the regulations. The fact that the current model is based on the purchase value of land creates a serious problem and is for the purpose of valuation of agricultural land most probably not suitable,” it said.
The NAU argues that the ability of agricultural land to generate money to pay tax would be more suitable and should the production value of land be used as basis for the determination of land tax.
“The drastic increase in land values and the coupled high land tax, however, will force the commercial agricultural sector onto its knees with a negative effect on the agricultural economy and employment creation in the agricultural sector. Against the background of the current drought and the re-building of a herd after the drought which could take as long as five years, many land owners will simply not be able to fend for themselves,” the NAU said.
The commercial farmers said they will appeal to Government to re-consider the rate of 0,75% on which land is taxed and adjust it downwards to an affordable rate.
The NAU said they are preparing a document for discussion with the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the Ministry of Finance.
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