Seminar on Jatropha nut production

The Namibian Agronomic Board, in co-operation with the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), the Namibian Agricultural Union (NAU), and the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry, intend to look into Jatropha production in Namibia. Jatropha is a nut that can easily be pressed into bio-diesel, which is fuel for motor vehicles. For this reason, a Jatropha and carbon credits Focus Day will be held in Windhoek on 6 December 2005 at 8h30 at the NamPower Convention Centre.

Some neighbouring countries are quite advanced in research and trial production and there are good number of serious business plans in Namibia that might become a reality soon. It takes 4 years for the Jatropha tree to become productive.

Bio-energy is an agronomic alternative or a supplement for oil and fuel and countries all over the world engaged in the production thereof. Furthermore, growing concern over the impact on the atmosphere and the earth’s climate of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions has prompted communities to address this pressing environmental problem. Interested person who want to attend can contact the Agronomic board at 061 - 379 503/500.

On Tuesday the National Assembly passed the controversial Bill which gives former President Sam Nujoma the title of "Founding Father of the Namibian Nation". The members of the opposition present in the House voted against the Bill. This did not have much influence as only 10 of the 17 opposition MPs were present. The ruling party had 47 voting members present and they all voted in favour of the Bill. According to political analysts, the campaigning for a possible successor for President Pohamba might have already begun. In 2007 a very decisive SWAPO congress will take place, where a new party president, a successor for Nujoma will have to be determined. This person will at the same time become the presidential candidate for the 2009 elections. Well placed sources claim that prime minister Nahas Angula, who tabled the controversial Nujoma Bill could be a possible successor.