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afrol.com, 6 October - The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development will spare no effort to insure the development and promotion of cattle in the communal areas of the country so that cattle from those areas find their ways into the commercial markets, Minister Angula has stated. This resoluteness on the part of the Namibian Government was expressed by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development whose statement was read on his behalf by his Deputy, Paul Smit, at the First International Simbra Forum and Championship in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, on 2 October. Minister Angula said any farmer who is serious about his business operation, can only stay in business if she or he farms with animals that are profitable and added that breeding animals which are profitable can only happen by keeping animals that adapts to Namibia’s harsh environmental condition. He said the cows, for instance, should be able to calve every year and wean heavy calves relative to their own weight. The Minister said the meat from such breeds should satisfy the customer’s demand both in quality and quantity. He added that the Simbra breed was developed in such a way that today it possesses all the qualities of a winning breed. The Minister his ministry has long realised agriculture plays a major role in the Namibian economy. Historically and culturally Namibian farmers have mastered the art of livestock development, especially cattle farming and today, cattle production contributes about 80 per cent of the agricultural sector’s income. Currently, he added, Namibia exports 83 per cent of its beef and this is set to increase in years to come. To protect this sector, Minister Angula said the Government has put in place regulations that prohibit the feeding of cattle with growths enhancing substances or feed containing any genetically modified substances. Therefore, Namibian cattle graze on natural pasture resulting in meat of the highest quality, taste and value. He said the Ministry has further developed and adopted the national agricultural policy and strategy, which lays the framework within which agricultural development will be promoted. The Minister outlined the objective of this policy as achieving growth rates and stability in farm income, agricultural productivity and production levels higher than the population growth rate; improve profitability and increase investment in agriculture; expand vertical integration and domestic value added for agricultural products and to promote the sustainable utilisation of the country’s natural resources. In Namibia, half of the population depends on agriculture and livestock (largely subsistence agriculture) for its livelihood. Namibia must import some of its food. Although per capita GDP is four times the per capita GDP of Africa's poorer countries, the majority of Namibia's people live in pronounced poverty because of large-scale unemployment, the great inequality of income distribution, and the large amount of wealth going to foreigners.
Source: Based on Namibian Government
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