The government has, to date, acquired 20,248 hectares of land for a total cost of N$19 million to develop the Neckartal Dam irrigation scheme project. 

The Deputy Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Albertus Engelbrecht, revealed the information during an oversight engagement with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources held at Keetmanshoop. 

Engelbrecht said the government conducted a feasibility study in April 2010 on the suitability of irrigation soil around Neckartal Dam, which identified more than 500 hectares of irrigable land. 

"We are saying that we still require this land: Portion 3 of Eppenau No. 123, the remainder of Naiams, which is 36 hectares; Portion 1 of Naiams, which is 105 hectares; the remainder of Neckartal No. 1, totalling 120 hectares; and the remainder of Schlangkopf. I believe this amounts to the main 1,632 hectares that we need. This land is essential for the development of the irrigation scheme at Neckartal Dam."

Engelbrecht highlighted several challenges, including the unwillingness of some farmers to offer land to the government, their preference to sell entire farms instead of portions, and the lack of budgetary constraints. 

He recommended to the committee that they separate the budgetary allocation for the acquisition of earmarked land and, if need arises, expropriate portions of land surrounding the Neckartal Dam.