After a 20-year waiting period, the Ozonahi Conservancy project has finally been awarded a certificate of operation to address bush encroachment in the Okakarara Constituency of the Otjozondjupa Region.

The certificate was awarded by Environment, Forestry, and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta, who said such projects are needed as encroaching bushes hamper agricultural productivity.

According to Minister Shifeta, despite the agricultural sector contributing between 3% and 5% to the national GDP, there has been a decline in agricultural productivity due to bush encroachment in the last 40 years.

"This is a worrisome fact as nearly 70% of the Namibian population depends on agricultural activities and the livestock industry is the mainstay with a high contribution to the GDP in the farming industry. This project stands to reduce the burden of bush encroachment as well as generate much-needed income and animal feed production, enhancing sustainable development in the region."

Shifeta also handed over bush harvesting equipment to the conservancy to help generate income and animal feed production for the farming community, 

"As a result, I am delighted to inform you that the transfer of the Bush to Feed to the Ozonahi Conservancy has occurred at an opportune time when CBNRM communities are implementing strategies to diversify livelihood options in the face of severe climatic challenges."

The Ozonahi Conservancy Chairperson, John Uazakuani, called on the ministry to allocate the conservancy full rights to work on the land and fully benefit the community it serves.

"We are both surprised and delighted that we have finally arrived at the point we had hoped for. I know it has been a long battle and a lot of activities to get to this point, but with our gazette, I would like to also urge that the utilization of our resources, whether biomass or forest resources, be fully handed over to us."

Ombara Sam Kambazembi of the Kambazembi Royal House accepted the certificate on behalf of the community. 

"The issue of biomass or community forest recognition has been a thorn among our community, and as it was alluded to by the honourable councillor, the use of biomass resources is something that our community really looks at, and they really want to tap into these opportunities."

Ozonahi Conservancy boasts a staff complement of 25 at its four mobile units, of whom some are employed to mix and package finished bush feed.