The dream of transforming Kavango West into an agricultural hub is becoming a reality as agricultural donations continue to reach the region.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services has issued an urgent notification to farmers regarding an outbreak of lung sickness in Opuwo Urban, Kunene Region.

State veterinarian Kahepako Mungunda stated that they have recorded eight cases of lung sickness and one death.

Fishing company Deepsea Consolidated Investment has committed N$1.2 million in aid to support 10,000 Namibian households affected by severe drought conditions.

Today, they donated 6 metric tonnes of salt-dried fish to the drought relief efforts.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform last week confirmed an outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, commonly referred to as lung sickness, in the Kunene Region.

The organisers of the Keetmanshoop Agriculture, Industrial, and Tourism Expo have raised more than N$100,000 for this year's event, scheduled to take place from October 29 to November 2.

The Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, in collaboration with the World Food Programme and the Embassy of Brazil, undertook a site visit to the Stampriet Combined in Hardap, which is piloting an integrated food systems project.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Anna Shiweda, is in the Zambezi Region on a three-day visit to tour abattoirs and familiarise herself with the implementation of the poultry and horticulture programmes that are supported by the government.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Government Institutions Pensions Fund (GIPF), Martin Inkumbi, has expressed satisfaction with the production at the Mashare Berries farm in the Kavango East Region.

Mashare Berries is one of the projects funded by GIPF. 

There are indications that farmers in various parts of the country are heeding the advice to destock their herds, as more than 5,000 have applied for marketing incentives.

The Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Ministry brought together management from all 14 regions to review major activities and performance in the first quarter of this financial year.

Ministry officials are gathered at Oshakati for a week-long annual work plan and management workshop, ending on Friday.