Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge expressed disappointment over the government ploughing tractors that are collecting dust at the Agricultural Technology Centre in Ongwediva, while subsistence farmers are in need of them.

There are 31 subsidised tractors associated with the Namibia Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project that are currently left unused and gathering dust.

Iipinge, during his visit last year in July, advised that the function should be transferred to the regional council and the service be deployed to the 11 constituencies, but nothing has been done to date. 

Iipinge met with farmers and the project management at the centre to establish the reasons why farming implements are not being used.

"It cannot happen like that. We should step up and do our job. If you don't want it, the door is open, so you can leave. Then we bring someone who wants to assist. Such an event can not happen. It's disheartening to see that despite prioritising agriculture in the 8th administration, we may be relying on imported food. We've been discussing this issue for a long time, and it's time to take action and start making progress."

The Director of the Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services, Ben Haraseb, explained that the centre is seeking funding to ensure its full functionality. 

"We are committed to securing government and green scheme funding to make these centres operational. We have various options we are looking at, and hopefully, in 6 months, we will have operationalised the technology centre. So, Governor, I assure you that we are working very hard towards the implementation of the strategies that we have come up with and the recommendations given by the stakeholders."

The centre employs four people and has six vacant positions.