Poverty reduction through land reform in Namibia: A case study of the Khomas region
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study intended to find out whether , particularly, the government resettlement scheme is effectively reducing poverty. The main aim of the research was ti initiate policy alternatives on how land reform can contribute to social and economic development of Namibia. The other important issue is to make recommendations and suggestions on how land reform can reduce poverty. The researcher used both structured and unstructured interview questions in order to collect primary data. The data were analysed in comparisons with the policy documents and theoritical framework. It was found that the implementation process has defeated the main purpose of land reform that is to reduce poverty. The implementation process is pro- rich rather than pro-poor as the policy intends. The majority of the beneficiaries are government employees with high annual incomes. The settlers should rather have been accommodated by the Affirmative Action Loan Scheme and not by the Government Resettlement Scheme. Most of the beneficiaries do not live on their allocated plots but live in the capital city, Windhoek. Farms that are acquired for resettlement purposes are being divided into small farming units, risking further environmental degradation and low environmental productivity. The major problem with the government resettlement scheme is that beneficiaries are not provided with necessary post-resettlement support. It was difficult for the study to establishwhether beneficiaries increased their income as a result of farming because they indicated that salaries were the main source of their incomes, not farming. Stakeholders contributions to land reform are not always reflected in the policy documents. Coordination between various actors and ministries involved in the resettlement programme is lacking
Description
Theses submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Policy and Administration
Keywords
Poverty, Land reform, Social policy