Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) President McHenry Venaani has stressed the importance of prioritising and accelerating investments in irrigation infrastructure to usher in an era of agricultural transformation and sustainable growth.
Speaking in the National Assembly recently, Venaani said enhancing agricultural production hinges on adopting innovative, decentralised water-saving technologies and bolstering the capacities of farmers, businesses and governmental frameworks.
The opposition leader argued that evidence from across Africa is clear, as nations that have committed to robust irrigation strategies have not only safeguarded their populations from hunger, but have also significantly reduced their reliance on food imports.
Venaani said the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform's 2024 budget allocation towards green schemes was reduced to N$65 million from N$120 million in the previous year, while the allocation of N$307 million to immediate food assistance through the Office of the Prime Minister indicates government’s short-sighted strategy of ephemeral relief over enduring sustainable development.
“The underinvestment in green schemes, juxtaposed with the exorbitant sums poured into food assistance, reveals a governance ethos more inclined towards short-term palliatives than the arduous task of forging sustainable systems. This isn’t just a lapse in fiscal judgement; it’s a failure in strategic foresight,” he sadded.
He said the current budgeting paradigm is a glaring testament to a governance philosophy that has veered off course, neglecting its paramount obligation to ensure the future well-being and prosperity of its citizenry.
“We cannot remain passive, as short-sighted policies take precedence over the urgent need for sustainable solutions that not only bolster our food security but also emancipate the Namibian people from the shackles of dependency. A rigorous reassessment and reallocation of governmental spending towards initiatives that capitalise on our natural endowments ensures food independence and fosters an empowered, self-reliant populace is not just necessary – it’s imperative,” he said. Venaani recommended the government must create an enabling environment that nurtures the growth and scalability of smallholder irrigation systems along the entirety of Namibia’s perennial rivers.
He also urged the government to promote small-scale farmer-led systems, leverage affordable and innovative technologies, and ensure sustainable water use.
“The time for action is now. Let our rivers flow with purpose, let our lands flourish, and let our people thrive,” he noted. -Nampa