By:Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reforms has lined up around seven policies and bills for completion and tabling in parliament in the 2023/24 financial year.
These include the Land Bill.
This was recently announced by the agricultural and land policymaker Carl Schlettwein during his annual staff address.
The draft policies are meant to improve the operation of the agricultural, water, and land sectors and reduce the backlog of outstanding legislative policies.
Schlettwen called upon his staff members at all levels, and in collaboration with stakeholder institutions, to individually and collectively ensure the full execution of the set targets of completing the policies.
First on the list is the finalisation and tabling of the Land Bill which is now at the advanced legal drafting stage, Schlettwein said.
“The Land Bill, which has been under review for quite some time, is now at an advanced legal drafting stage, paving the way for tabling in 2023 calendar year,” he informed.
The ministry will table the Livestock and Livestock Products Bill early this year, which will include dairy and poultry products.
Schlettwein stated that they will finalise the First National Agricultural Investment Plan and for implementation in the 2023/24 financial year.
Given that Namibia is quite prone to various natural calamities that mostly affect the agricultural sector, the Minister indicated they will finalise the National Disaster Risk Management Strategy for the Agriculture Sector and the Review of the 1997 National Drought Policy.
Various regulations for finalised Acts and policies will also be completed.
The ministry has finalised some Acts but they were not implemented as complementary regulations are not done.
The Seed and Seed Variety Act of 2018 will get its regulations this year, according to the minister.
It will finalise the Property Valuer Profession Regulations and the Code of Conduct for the Council following the enactment of the Property Valuer Profession Amendment Act of 2022.
The ministry will draft the Valuation Bill and will commence with the issuance of Land Tax Assessment for 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 keeping in mind that 2019/2020 was exempted due to Covid-19.
The Plant Breeders and Farmers’ Rights, which aims to protect and acknowledge the Plant Breeders who will produce new plant varieties while promoting access to international varieties, will be finalised.
Schlettwein said the highlighted unfinished bills and regulations are the core priority areas for execution this year.
He also assured that his ministry will also be providing efficient services to the public through visible extension and veterinary services and access to information.
In this regard, the ministry will strengthen key enablers such as transport, information technology, procurement, and a functioning performance management system cascaded to all levels. Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na