Govt Allocates 40 Hectares for Sunflower Oil Seeds Production

 

By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Erastus

 

The government has allocated approximately 40 hectares for sunflower production, specifically at the Shadikongoro and Sikondo Green Scheme Irrigation Project, aimed at cultivating sunflower seeds for cooking oil.

According to updates from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR), the expected harvest per hectare ranges from 1 to 1.5 tons of seeds, although optimal conditions can yield 2 to 2.5 tons per hectare, particularly in fertile soil and favourable environments.

This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to reduce the importation of cooking oil, as Namibia currently relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand.