Hardap: Hardap Governor Riaan McNab has proposed that unemployed youth be recruited and trained through agricultural mentorship programmes at the Hardap Green Scheme to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, and strengthen food security. Speaking during a visit to the green scheme on Thursday, McNab emphasized that agriculture offers significant opportunities for youth empowerment and economic growth, urging it to play a central role in reducing unemployment and poverty.According to Namibia Press Agency, McNab expressed his enthusiasm for agriculture by highlighting the potential he sees in the region and the hope he derives from the young people present. He stressed the importance of Namibia working towards self-sufficiency in food production, describing food security as a national priority under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's administration. "Any nation that cannot feed itself is a vulnerable nation. We must create opportunities for young people and take them through a process that enables them to con tribute to food security and sustainability," McNab stated.The governor suggested that the Youth Desk in the Governor's Office should identify unemployed young people for agricultural training and mentorship programmes. He proposed recruiting youth, mentoring them in agriculture, and allocating plots to them at the green scheme. By organising them into cooperatives, McNab believes they can become successful agricultural entrepreneurs and sustain themselves.McNab further elaborated that providing young people with access to land, mentorship, and agricultural skills could significantly contribute to job creation, poverty reduction, and economic development. Acting manager of the Hardap Green Scheme, Stefanus Iininga, noted that the project, established in 2011, continues to play an important role in supplying fodder and crops to the region.Recalling the severe drought of 2019 and 2020, Iininga mentioned that demand for fodder increased significantly as farmers sought to save their livestock. "Most of the region was looking for fodder to save their animals. We were selling everything we produced and sometimes demand exceeded what we had in stock," he said. Although limited equipment remains a challenge, engagements with regional authorities have resulted in the approval of additional implements, including trailers and other machinery. The project currently produces fodder and maize, while plans are underway to cultivate wheat on seven hectares.