China-backed agricultural project trains 121 farmers

Namibia and China are reviewing progress made under a joint agricultural cooperation programme being implemented at the Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre (Tazac) in the Hardap region. According to the ministry, the project initially planned four technical training sessions for about 80 participants, but five sessions have already been conducted, reaching 121 farmers and staff members. The training covered poultry biosecurity, chick brooding, poultry feed management, composting of chicken manure and egg incubation techniques.

The assessment follows a visit to the centre by the agriculture ministry’s acting executive director, Alfred Sikopo, and Chinese ambassador Zhao Weiping. “Agriculture has been identified as the number one priority sector under the Sixth National Development Plan in order to ensure the country achieves food and nutrition security,” Sikopo said during the visit.