EU support boosts Livestock Sector in Namibia's Northern Communal Areas with 20 Million Euros
On the 9th of June, the EU Delegation led by the HoD, Jana Hybaskova and the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa, launched the Programme: "Support to the Livestock Sector in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) of Namibia. The launch took place in Opuwo (capital of Kunene Region in North-Western Namibia). The Livestock Programme aims to have a long-term and positive impact on the standard of living of rural families in NCAs, by creating more job and income opportunities, especially for the youth and women.
Expected benefits from this programme include improvement of the entire value chain, starting from livestock production to the processing of meat and other animal products. By improving the quality of animals and animal products, the programme will boost opportunities for NCA farmers to sell their animals and animal products to local, national, regional and international markets. The programme is also expected to promote better and more sustainable use of natural resources, such as water and rangeland in particular. Total funding pledged by the EU towards this programme amounts to 20 Million Euro over a six year period.
"Livestock support in our understanding is the way to get those most in need to move upwards. hrough the Livestock Support Programme the EU will continue to engage and support stakeholders in a participatory way at both ends - meaning we will work with organizations such as the Namibia Farmer's Union ad others to strengthen their capacity as well as with central government ministries and agencies - in particular the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to ensure that this programme is implemented successfully" stated EU Ambassador to Namibia Jana Hybaskova.
"It is not an overstatement to say communal farming in nine of the northern regions alone (Kunene, Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kavango East, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi) directly supports the livelihoods of more than half of Namibia's total population and own more than half of Namibia's total livestock herd, however these same regions have bare access to livestock markets and investment resources that results in low production and income. I convey our deepest gratitude to the EU as a collective, but also to its individual Member States for their support to the Livestock Programme", said Hon John Mutorwa in his statement at the launching event.