Pohamba administration ensured full silos – Kawana

Home affairs minister Albert Kawana says under former president Hifikepunye Pohamba&#039;s administration, Namibia built multiple silos across the northern regions, an effort that once ensured the country never had to "spend a single cent to buy food from outside”.Speaking at a recent memorial service in Rundu for the late founding president Sam Nujoma, Kawana reflected on past successes, particularly in mitigating the effects of drought. “... At that time, all those silos were filled to capacity. When we were hit by drought, we never spent a single cent to buy food from outside. Those silos were used to feed our people. That was the vision of our political giant, His Excellency Dr Sam Nujoma," he said.In 2008, then-agriculture minister John Mutorwa revealed that the government had allocated N$9.1 million for silo construction during the 2008/09 financial year. "Already completed are four silos with a combined capacity of 4 600 tonnes for Rundu in the Kavango Region. In Ohangwena, silos are under construction at Okongo, with the first phase involving a 500 tonne silo set for completion by July," Mutorwa said at the time.He further noted that silos in Katima Mulilo, with a total capacity of 5 400 tonnes, were also on track, while Omuthiya&#039;s storage capacity stood at 3 000 tonnes.A year later, Pohamba announced that N$63 million would be spent on expanding green schemes. "Food production and food security are important pillars of any nation. A begging nation can hardly be regarded as an independent nation," he said at a Swapo rally in Ohangwena.Of this investment, N$32 million was earmarked for the Ndonga Linena project in Kavango, N$16 million for irrigation systems, and N$15 million for further development of the Etunda green scheme.Local food production crucial By 2012, then-deputy prime minister and late Marco Hausiku highlighted that a nation unable to produce its own food remains vulnerable to external shocks and instability. He made these remarks while commissioning new grain silos at Tsandi in Omusati. "To maintain national pride and withstand elements that could threaten stability, we must stimulate food production across Namibia," Hausiku warned at the time. His concerns are proving prophetic. By the end of 2020, the National Strategic Food Reserve (NSFR) held only 14% of its total 22 900 tonne capacity, according to a report from the agriculture ministry. "As of 31 December 2020, the NSFR stocks were very low, representing only 14.05% of the overall holding capacity," the report stated.Silos at Omuthiya and Tsandi were empty, while Rundu held just 2 033 tonnes of white maize and Katima Mulilo 1 183 tonnes. Farmers were hesitant to sell grain while still recovering from the 2019 drought and uncertain about the 2020/21 season.Food crisis warningThe Namibia Statistics Agency reported that agricultural imports topped N$794.1 million in the last quarter of 2021, with food price inflation rising sharply.In 2023, the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) reported that the country’s silo capacity stood at 22 900 metric tonnes, far from sufficient.AMTA spokesperson Pasval Elijah warned that without expansion, Namibia could face a food crisis during prolonged droughts."If a drought strikes and there is no grain from outside, we will struggle to feed ourselves. The 22 000 tonnes available won&#039;t last long," she said in an interview with NBC.Despite this, the Namibia National Strategic Food Reserves (NSFR) were nearly empty last year. The Omuthiya silo, with a 4 000-tonne capacity, was completely depleted, while Okongo was filled to only 18% of its total capacity.The agriculture ministry has attributed this decline to poor rainfall in 2023. Most grain reserves were replenished through imports, with Namibia bringing in 150 700 metric tonnes of wheat, maize and millet. Yet, the food shortfall remains critical, leaving 579 000 Namibians, 22% of the population, in acute food insecurity.Former president Pohamba recently criticized the lack of continuity in government programmes, particularly green schemes initiated under Nujoma.Speaking at Nujoma’s memorial service in Etunda, Pohamba urged incoming president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah not to abandon key projects.Rundu Rural constituency councillor Paulus Mbangu raised these concerns during president-elect Nandi-Ndaitwah&#039;s visit to assess food security "We are fortunate to have a green scheme, but it faces significant challenges, particularly insufficient funding," he said.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Pohamba administration ensured full silos – Kawana

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Pohamba administration ensured full silos – Kawana

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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