RUNDU: The president of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani, has urged the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to modernise maize production for self-sufficiency.

In a media statement issued on Monday, Venaani said Namibia imported approximately 82 000 tonnes of maize in 2023 alone.

‘With reports of a mere 42 per cent harvest projected for 2023/24, leaving almost 60 per cent of our white maize needs unmet, it’s time to move beyond rhetoric,’ he said.

Venaani proposed drought-tolerant maize varieties since crops hold the key to mitigating climate risks and reducing harvest failures – a common plight in sub-Saharan Africa.

He emphasised the urgency of the matter, reminding the ministry of the nearly 580 000 Namibians facing acute food insecurity.

‘Their plight is not a statistic, it’s a call to action. The PDM believes mechanisation and modernisation are not just promises, but cornerstones of a food-secure future,’ he stated.

The PDM leader said investing in modern maize tech
nologies would not only fill empty plates but also create robust value chains and jobs.

‘A transformed agricultural sector could be the engine of our economy, alleviating poverty and driving prosperity,’ he noted.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency