The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) has said that the re-evaluation of agricultural land for land tax purposes has rattled many a feather among farmers.
A number of farmers associations and individuals have already contacted the NAU in this regard, the NAU said in its newsletter.

“We would like to point out that, according to the Act, only individuals can object to the valuations of his or her land. The NAU is not allowed to object generally. These objections must be done before 3 October,” said the NAU.
The union said the basis for the calculation of the value of land for land tax is at this stage of great concern. According to the NAU, the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement indicated that the carrying capacity as well as the market value of land in a specific area is used as criteria to determine land tax.
“This however creates a problem as there is an imbalance between the market value and production value of land as determined by AgriBank,” said the NAU.
The NAU said the matter will be discussed urgently by the land committee of the union and thereafter with the Ministry of Lands. “It is necessary that fixed guidelines must be laid down for the calculation of land value for land tax purposes which must be done each five years so that farmers can have guidelines to know what to expect,” the NAU said.
Farmers are expected to pay 30% more in land tax, after a new farm valuation roll earlier this month. The roll will be valid until 2012.
The government expects to earn around N$30 million a year from land tax. About 12547 commercial land units are registered on the roll.