Govt to set up agri research institute

CABINET has approved the establishment of a National Agricultural Research Institute in accordance with the National Policy on Research, Science and Technology and the Research, Science and Technology Act of 2004.

Cabinet further directed that all existing research stations, training facilities, analytical and diagnostic laboratories that are within the Agriculture Ministry are to form the core of the envisaged National Agricultural Research Institute and that technical directorates and divisions in the Ministry would form the nucleus of the envisaged institute. ‘Cabinet mandated the institute to execute all research activities currently being carried out by the Ministry.’Cabinet also directed that adequate and sufficient resources should be allocated through the parent ministry to enable such an institute to execute its research mandate adequately.’The National Policy on Research, Science and Technology was developed in 1999 by the Education Ministry. The Research, Science and Technology Act provides for the establishment and registration of research institutes by both the public and private sectors. The establishment of a national agricultural research institute would boost the national scientific and technical capacity in the area of crop and animal science, according to the statement. ‘The creation of such an institute will ensure that ecologically sound practices will be adhered to where the quality of natural resources, including land and the vitality of the entire agro-ecosystem from humans, crops and animals to soil organisms is improved.’ The institute’s functions will include the identification of research interest and to conduct basic, applied and strategic research activities relevant to the Namibian conditions.