Councillor fumes at agri centre’s neglect

Mashare constituency councillor Phillip Mavara has bemoaned the state of the Mashare Agricultural Development Institute (MADI), laying the blame for its neglect at the feet of government.In an interview with Ewi lyaNooli, he said he believes there are people within the agriculture ministry who are deliberately sabotaging the centre, which – according to him – was one of the best in the country when Namibia gained independence.“To tell you the truth, MADI was previously good in terms of farming chickens, pigs and crops. Today, the centre is neglected and it seems nobody cares,” Mavara said.“Since 2017 up to now, they did not even repair the water pump station. Even to buy a new one. Imagine, we are talking about the government. Do you think the government is unable to buy a new machine?” Mavara said he has been writing letters to various ministries on the matter for years, adding that while MADI’s neglect has been covered in the media, these pleas seem to fall on deaf ears.“Every year, I used to talk to the ministries and write letters to them. Even you, the media, you have been exposing it. We also question the system of the agriculture ministry. How can one manage the farm from Windhoek?” Mavara wanted to know.“If you go there today, you will find equipment just lying around and the centre is in a terrible state. Mashare constituency is an agriculture-based constituency, and it’s disappointing to see a centre such as MADI in such a state.”Lack of supportIn its current state, MADI is an absolute eyesore.Not long ago, Namibian Sun visited the institute and revealed that agricultural equipment worth millions had been left vulnerable to the elements, while the infrastructure is on the verge of collapse and government has seemingly turned a blind eye.Situated some 50 kilometres east of Rundu, MADI has devolved into mayhem - instead of an institute meant to contribute to the agricultural sector of the region and the nation at large.At the time, disappointment was etched onto the face of MADI centre manager and chief agricultural scientific officer, Lukas Mandema, as he spoke about a lack of support from the line ministry.Regarding the equipment that&#039;s collecting dust, he said it arrived at the centre without prior consultation, and this has led to challenges in terms of its usage.According to him, they cannot use the planter and rippers they received as the tractors they have are unable to pull them.“This equipment is heavy and not compatible with our tractors. Some of it has already started to get damaged,” he said at the time.MADI was once a place where local farmers could buy livestock and feed, but now pigs survive on chicken feed. Mandema revealed that since 2017, there has been no budget for the institute.At the moment, it is home to pigs, donkeys and cattle left in the hands of the close to 50 labourers and three technical staff.kenya@namibiansun.com

Councillor fumes at agri centre’s neglect

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Republikein 2025-06-17

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Councillor fumes at agri centre’s neglect

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