AGRICULTURE minister Alpheus !Naruseb has assured farmers that his objective is to see the sector grow.
According to the latest issue of the Namibia Agricultural Union newsletter, the minister said this during a visit to his office by the president of the NAU, Ryno van der Merwe, the chairperson of the LPO, Piet Gouws, the executive manager, Roelie Venter, and the manager: commodities, Harald Marggraff, on 24 May.
The farmers’ representatives had an opportunity to brief the minister on the critical factors within the commercial agricultural sector.
The minister gave an assurance that he will not take any decisions without giving all role players an opportunity to give their view- points.
The negative impact of the government’s value addition policy on the small stock industry was again addressed and the NAU’s point of view remains that the small stock marketing scheme should urgently be abolished in order to prevent a total collapse of the small stock industry.
Furthermore, the producers’ concerns about the weak financial position of Meatco and the impact it can have on the cattle industry were discussed.
The minister also reacted positively to the NAU’s request that the draft Meatco legislation should be shared and discussed with producers before it is discussed in parliament.
The farmers requested the minister to conclude the long term drought strategy and to finalise the amended legislation which will ensure the future of the dairy industry.
