Renthia Kaimbi
The deputy minister of agriculture, Ruthy Masake, encouraged Namibians to use holidays and free time to work in agricultural fields instead of staying in towns.
She said practical farming work is important to help secure the country’s food supply.
Working the land, according to Masake, is a national responsibility that not only supports households but also strengthens food production.
“Fellow Namibians, instead of spending our holidays in towns, we should enjoy our time in the field. Let’s get dirty for some time. In the process, we’re going to become one of the producers of food,” she said over the weekend.
She shared her own farming experience to show what can be achieved.
Masake said she used the recent festive season to cultivate more than 30 hectares of land in her village near Katima Mulilo.
She planted maize, sorghum, soybeans, tomatoes, onions, green peppers and watermelons.
Masake said farming skills must be passed on to younger generations. She encouraged parents to involve their children in agricultural work so knowledge does not get lost.
“Let’s make agriculture attractive because whatever we eat on a daily basis comes from agriculture,” she said.
She also pointed to farming as a reliable source of income for families.
“All the money I spend on my kids comes from the fields they help cultivate,” she said.
Masake said her farm produces about 100 tonnes of maize each year, worth about N$700 000, and provides permanent employment to four workers.
She said small-scale and family farming should be part of a wider national effort to secure food supplies.
Masake said that using free time to farm can help more Namibians take part in feeding the country.
