The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform is currently revamping agricultural centres to operationalise them into agricultural training centres by 2027.
According to the acting executive director for Vote 37, Alfred Sikopo, the operationalisation of agricultural training centres presents another potential area of cooperation that can be explored by the government and its partners.
The Ministry is currently implementing several preparatory activities.
These include the recruitment of key personnel, training of trainers, development of training manuals, and the implementation of a practical farm plan aimed at ensuring maximum utilisation of the more than 13,000 hectares available at Tsumis.
Sikopo stressed that agricultural centres established across the country, such as the Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre (TAZAC) , will enhance the capacity of farmers.
This is through training, mentorship, and expert guidance aimed at improving productivity and ultimately achieving food self-sufficiency for the country.
During the familiarisation visit at TAZAC, Sikopo noted that agriculture remains a priority sector under the development agenda of the 8th Administration.
In line with the project work plan, four technical training sessions targeting approximately 80 participants were initially planned.
However, five training sessions have already been conducted, benefitting a total of 121 participants, comprising farmers and staff members.
The training sessions covered key topics such as biosecurity management in poultry farming, chick brooding, composting of chicken manure, poultry nutrition and feed requirements, free-range chicken production in woodland environments, as well as egg hatching and incubation techniques.
In support of the project activities, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations in Namibia procured and delivered three batches of equipment and production materials to TAZAC valued at approximately US$8,000.
The equipment includes feed crushers, feed mixers, straw shredders, heaters, and other essential poultry production materials aimed at strengthening operational capacity at the centre.
