The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ruthy Masaka, has called on the community of Aussenkehr to utilise government-subsidised programmes to boost food security and agricultural development.
 
She made the call during her familiarisation visit to the ||Kharas Region.
 
The government-subsidised schemes include the Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme, Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme, Dairy Value Chain Development Programme and Small Stock Distribution and Development Programme.
 
“I would want Namibian children, women and everyone to benefit from these delegated truncations that we have given to the Regional Councils. These programmes that we are given to them – we thought maybe they are the easy way for you people to reach your regional offices in case you need agricultural assistance. The Ministry of Agriculture has delegated the DAPEES agriculture department to Regional Councils. There are many schemes that I would want to change Namibia.”
 
She also raised some concerns.

"The community does not have a problem; the problem lies with the people working in the office. When you go to the office and tell them, 'I have these ideas and the skills to do this or that,' they will often respond, 'We do not handle that part'. I would like to use this opportunity to ask whether your office could also provide training opportunities for the youth."