By Lylie Happiness
WINDHOEK, July 17 — The partnership between Debmarine Namibia and the University of Namibia, Ogongo Campus, is poised to make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the agricultural sector in the region. This statement was made by Chief Executive Officer Mr. Willy Mertens during the handover ceremony of agricultural equipment at the Rice Harvesting event.
Valued at N$750,000, the donated agricultural equipment aims to enhance rice production and poultry development projects. It includes an incubator for fertilising and hatching eggs, parent chicken cages, chick’s crates and cages, a pelleting machine, heat lamps, a beverage cooler, a water pump, and irrigation pipes for rice paddies, and rice seedling trays. These resources are intended to facilitate research, training, and revitalize community involvement in rice and chicken production activities.
In his remarks, Mr. Mertens highlighted the importance of agriculture as the foundation of Namibia’s economy. “We need food to keep working, and the food we need comes from agriculture,” he said. It is essential for maintaining livelihoods and guaranteeing food security.
Additionally, he expressed trust in the University of Namibia’s academic members to make use of these resources for ground-breaking research, resolving challenging agricultural problems, and paving the path for a more prosperous and sustainable future. Mr. Mertens emphasized the significance of good stewardship and urged careful handling of the agricultural resources to ensure their long-term advantages and use by future student generations.
The sponsorship is more than just a business deal between Debmarine Namibia and the University of Namibia, it is important to mention. It reflects a group effort with the intention of improving society. According to Mr. Mertens, “We firmly believe that the benefits of this collaboration will extend beyond the University and positively impact the entire agricultural sector.” ~Namibia Daily News
