The development of the much-anticipated second phase of the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Scheme is set to start next year. 

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, said this when he officially opened the Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial, and Tourism Expo. 

The Keetmanshoop-based Illeni Early Childhood Development Centre has received a generous donation of fruit trees and seeds to kick-start a backyard garden project. 

The backyard gardening project aims to promote nutritional food and environmental awareness among children.