The address follows questions posed by PDM Leader McHenry Venaani to Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, which drew attention to Article 19 of Namibia's Constitution.

Article 19 affirms every person's right to enjoy, practice, promote, and maintain their culture, language, tradition, or religion, provided it does not infringe on others' rights or the national interest. Venaani highlighted the plight of the |Khomanin community, which has practiced its beliefs and traditions but lacks communal land.

Japan's Ambassador to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki, says he is impressed with the strides made by horticulture producers in the Kavango West Region. Japan has provided N$2 million to be used for horticulture-related training and equipment in the region.

The Ambassador's visit included a stopover with the Governor of the region as well as with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN. They visited a number of small-scale projects where they assessed progress made since Nishimaki's first visit last year.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform officially handed over the Rundu abattoir to MeatCo yesterday.

The abattoir is intended to serve as a market for cattle and small stock farmers in the Kavango East, West, and surrounding regions.

The construction of the Rundu abattoir started in 2014 and was expected to be completed in 2017.
 
The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, stated that the outbreak of COVID-19 and disruptions in tourism and other economic activities delayed the completion of the abattoir.

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, in partnership with the European Union and GIZ Namibia, handed over a solar pump station to the Amarika Farmers Cooperation.

During the handover of the solar pump station, Schleittwein reiterated his ministry's commitment to providing essential services to farmers in remote areas like Amalika and Okatumba.

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, inaugurated the Amarika Farmers' Cooperative Butchery in Outapi.

Amarika Farmers' Cooperative Butchery was set up with financial assistance from the government, the European Union, and Germany.

Schlettwein believes this initiative will significantly motivate and inspire local farmers to increase livestock production and deliver their products to the butchery, ultimately benefiting the residents of Omusati and enabling farmers to generate income.

More than N$800,000 has been recovered in rental fees from 58 resettled farmers in the Erongo region since independence.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform says resettlement farms in the region are also experiencing water issues, defaulting on lease fees, vandalism, and a lack of infrastructure.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources is in the Erongo region on a two-day mission to find out if resettlement farms are thriving or failing.

There are online scammers that have been targeting various Government agencies; one of the most recent is the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform.

nbc News anchor Celma Ndhikwa spoke to Jona Musheko, the Ministry's spokesperson, about recent scams targeting farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has clarified that the N$98 million allegedly returned to Treasury was never disbursed to the ministry.

In a media statement, the ministry said it is therefore incorrect for anyone to insinuate that the money would be used for corrupt activities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform will be carrying out an awareness campaign on the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System and stock brands.

The campaign will be undertaken by the ministry's Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Meat Board of Namibia from the 17th of this month until the 31st of October.

The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness and educate farmers on the appropriate use of cattle eartags and stock brands, as well as provide guidance on how to register on NamLITS online.

The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, says MeatCo still remains a crucial entity in the meat market and that it has no immediate replacement.

Schlettwein noted that although the government cannot keep up with bailing out MeatCo all the time, there are currently no plans to replace the entity, and it remains the heartbeat of the livestock sector.