The Neckartal irrigation scheme, which is currently being developed in the //Kharas region, is expected to create about 11 000 employment opportunities. Minister of agriculture, water and land reform Calle Schlettwein revealed this during the Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo last week. He said between 33 000 and 40 000 people are expected to be attracted by the project. Schlettwein said the ministry is at an advanced stage of procuring the services of technical experts for the construction of irrigation systems at farm level, and are envisaging to have these consultants on board from next year. The ministry has, in the meantime, split the development of the irrigation scheme into two phases to allow the construction of a balancing dam due to water scarcity. “The development of the Neckartal
