N$825 million budgeted for drought relief support programmes
Written by on April 29, 2024
The government has budgeted N$825 million from the National Emergency Disaster Fund for the drought relief support programme for the 2024/25 financial year.
The programme aims to address the drought situation the country is currently facing, government spokesperson Emma Theofelus announced in a media statement on Friday.
According to the sixth Cabinet decision passed last week, N$600 million is budgeted for food assistance, while N$25 million is budgeted for seed and horticulture provision.
The livestock support programme received a budget of N$100 million, while the water provision programme also received N$100 million.
Theofelus said the Office of the Prime Minister will continue with food assistance to beneficiaries who meet the set criteria from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Under seed and horticulture support, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, as from 1 May 2024, will introduce support to farmers to procure early maturing seeds, drought tolerant seed varieties and fertilisers for sale at subsidised prices at agricultural development centres.
“Cabinet directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to implement an awareness campaign to encourage farmers to destock while the livestock is still in good condition,” Theofelus said.
She added that the Cabinet has also approved the increase of livestock marketing incentives for large stock units, from N$500 per head to N$750, and small stock units, from N$100 per head to N$150, up to 375 heads.
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