Agribank wants maximised production

OSHAKATI – Land reform and distribution remain the priority of AgriBank as an agency of government to promote equitable distribution of this resource among the Namibians for long-term stability, peace and prosperity.

The Chief Executive Officer of AgriBank, Leonard Iipumbu, made these remarks at Oshakati where he was speaking to stakeholders this week. Iipumbu says AgriBank was reviewing the land value formula to ensure that farm valuations were based on the production income to sustain such operations.According to Iipumbu, the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme and National Agricultural Credit Programme were also being reviewed to make it affordable, sustainable and beneficial to the whole nation.”Our commodity-driven exports are constraints on our economic autonomy as a country,” the new AgriBank CEO said, adding that discussions on land and agricultural production need to be encouraged as the only way to find lasting solutions and to create a vibrant economy for the generations to come.Iipumbu made his first trip to the north-central regions since his appointment as AgriBank CEO earlier this year to interact with people at the grassroots level and identify potential activities that can be financed by AgriBank.He encouraged farmers in the country, especially in the north, to maximise their production and to keep on paying back the loans AgriBank is offering them.”Indeed, there is a great potential in the regions and I am convinced that we can make the country self-reliant in food production,” Iipumbu said.- NampaIipumbu says AgriBank was reviewing the land value formula to ensure that farm valuations were based on the production income to sustain such operations.According to Iipumbu, the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme and National Agricultural Credit Programme were also being reviewed to make it affordable, sustainable and beneficial to the whole nation.”Our commodity-driven exports are constraints on our economic autonomy as a country,” the new AgriBank CEO said, adding that discussions on land and agricultural production need to be encouraged as the only way to find lasting solutions and to create a vibrant economy for the generations to come.Iipumbu made his first trip to the north-central regions since his appointment as AgriBank CEO earlier this year to interact with people at the grassroots level and identify potential activities that can be financed by AgriBank.He encouraged farmers in the country, especially in the north, to maximise their production and to keep on paying back the loans AgriBank is offering them.”Indeed, there is a great potential in the regions and I am convinced that we can make the country self-reliant in food production,” Iipumbu said.- Nampa