Kavango West visit spotlights push for year-round food production

Kavango West governor Verna Sinimbo on Friday during a meeting with the agriculture ministry called for year-round food production.

Deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruthy Masake attended the meeting on the ministry’s behalf.

“We have very good soil. We have water, however, we still feel that as a region, we can maximally explore these opportunities,” Sinimbo said.

The governor said 90% of residents depend on subsistence farming reliant on erratic rainfall.

She called for aggregation and value addition to curb post-harvest losses.

“Our produce always goes to waste. The Kavango West region wants to be the region where we can process tomatoes and make tomato paste, with smaller producers bringing their produce together to supply a processing plant,” she said.

Sinimbo further advocated for the development of additional inland fish ponds and a second large-scale green scheme to address food insecurity and unemployment.

“We don’t want to be called the food basket; we want to walk the talk. The time is now,” she said.

Sinimbo also highlighted an initiative by the governor’s office to plant fruit trees and support youth-led orchards to improve household nutrition and income generation.

During the meeting, Masake urged young people and cooperatives to leverage the region’s river systems, fertile soil and market access through bankable projects and disciplined implementation.

“The government wants to see young people in the Kavango West region leading irrigation crop production, aquaculture, fishing farming and agro-processing opportunity exists,” she said.

Emphasising preparedness and accountability, she added: “Access requires preparation business plan, registration, financial discipline.”

She challenged young people to stop “working in isolation” and transition from subsistence to commercial production.

Citing the region’s cross-border market access and year-round water availability, Masake said “a small farm can make you rich” when supported by irrigation, greenhouse production and value addition.

“It’s about thinking ahead, be ready for work,” she said, describing agriculture as a “new normal business” that must be attractive, loving, be passionate,” and encouraging immediate action such as registering businesses, starting gardens and accessing institutional support to sustain production and exports.

The meeting focused on the deputy minister’s visit and concrete next steps to advance agricultural development in the region. – Nampa

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