The Oshikoto Regional Council, in its New Year's Message, has called on its inhabitants to start ploughing their fields and cultivating their land for food self-sufficiency.

The chairperson of the Oshikoto Regional Council, Samuel Shivute, urged residents of the region to make use of the current rain to plough.

"To the residents of Oshikoto Region, it is the time of the year again, when we are all required to go in the fields and cultivate the land in order to produce enough food for our households while meanwhile ensuring food security in the region. Therefore, I would like to implore all the residents to refrain from opening or going to cuca shops in the early hours, but rather to dedicate our valuable time and energy to cultivating our fields while the weather patterns and sky look promising."

He further urged the youth in the Oshikoto Region to invest their time in productive projects, like assisting villagers with ploughing their fields. 

As for the elderly and vulnerable households, he hopes that they may benefit from green schemes.

"With the current ongoing government ploughing tractors' scheme, as part of implementing the national agricultural mechanisation initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, it is my hope that the first preference is given to elders and people with disabilities in the region. Lastly, I would like to appeal to all young people to team up in their respective communities and towns to engage in fruitful activities and projects that would combat hunger and poverty and address the issue of youth unemployment in the region."