The president of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, has urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to modernise maize production for self-sufficiency.
Venaani yesterday said Namibia imported approximately 82 000 tonnes of maize in 2023 alone.
“With reports of a mere 42% harvest projected for 2023/24, leaving almost 60% of our white maize needs unmet, it’s time to move beyond rhetoric,” he said.
Venaani proposed drought-tolerant maize varieties, since crops hold the key to mitigating climate risks and reducing harvest failures – a common plight in sub-Saharan Africa.
He emphasised the urgency of the matter, reminding everyone of the nearly 580 000 Namibians facing acute food insecurity.
“Their plight is not a statistic, it’s a call to action. The PDM believes mechanisation and modernisation are not just promises, but cornerstones of a food-secure future.”
Venaani said investing in modern maize technologies would not only fill empty plates, but also create robust value chains and jobs.
“A transformed agricultural sector could be the engine of our economy, alleviating poverty and driving prosperity,” he said.
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