Members Budgetary Committee of the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) visited Namibia recently with a specific focus on forest protection, sustainable forest management, bio economy and private sector entrepreneurship.
The delegation first travelled to Rundu and visited the Ncumcara community forest to learn more about the achievements and challenges of forest protection, sustainable management of the forest and the generation of additional income for the community members.
In Tsumeb region, the delegation got first-hand information on the economic and ecological damage of bush encroachment on pasture land and on possibilities to turn bush encroachment into an economic opportunity and make it a viable resource for business. The delegation looked at bush thinning activities at a farm and the process of producing wood chips. The German government is supporting a programme to introduce innovative and climate-friendly technology for both bush thinning and biomass utilisation.
In Otavi, the delegation visited Ohorongo Cement, which attaches great importance to energy efficiency and the utilisation of renewable energy. Its sister company Energy for Future supplies wood chips as an alternative source of energy for the cement factory.
