Erongo Governor Neville Andre is happy with the rental fee collections from government resettlement farms in the region.
Andre, who was speaking at the two-day Erongo Farmers Conference at Omaruru, says the collection is a huge improvement as farmers ignored this in the past.
More than N$106,000 was collected from 41 farming units out of 58 leased by the government.
The money collected is used for rehabilitation and repairs of water and fencing infrastructure at farming units.
"We used to have that problem, but in the region, we are sort of addressing it, and I really want to thank you for committing to your lease fees. I'm also pleased to inform you that the Erongo Region has thus collected an amount of $106,210.25 in rental fees as of February 2023, which is a 99.5% return, and that is a great reaction from you."
Andre urged farmers to take care of the infrastructure, despite challenges such as boundary disputes, illegal subleasing, and vandalism.
Plans are also underway to decongest farming units and help relocate drought-affected farmers to sustainable farms within the region.
The Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Penda Iithindi, revealed that the government is reviewing the resettlement policy and formalizing the resettlement criteria.
"In terms of the revised resettlement policy, two important and enabling policy provisions are put forward, which we only need to move to the implementation point. One is to move from mere leasing of the resettlement farms to actual ownership, and that is an impactful reform in the view of the government itself because now these land pieces are not only just leased for 99 years or so but they are owned and therefore to empowerment, which while having an effect, needs to be actualized through the implementation of real economic activities."
Also speaking at the event was Omaruru Constituency Councilor, Ernst Wetha.
"I offer my much-deserved praise to the hard-working farmers across the nation. In the midst of harvest season, in the same vein, pay tribute to the men, women, and families who put food in the grocery stores and on our tables every single day."
The farmer's day was held at Farm Kassandra under the theme "valuing best agricultural practices geared towards food security and self-reliance."