The leader of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani has proposed to the National Assembly (NA) that the Ministry of Finance intervene and see how commercial banks can come up with a plan to refinance commercial farmers who are unable to repay their loans. Venaani gave notice of a motion that the NA discusses a bailout plan for commercial farmers who are severely hit by the drought and high repayment of their loans at commercial banks as well as at Agribank due to livestock loss. Venaani approached the house hoping to arrive at a reasonable bailout plan to assist farmers and to rescue the ailing agriculture sector. Over the past seven years, Namibia has experienced the toughest and challenging period for all commercial farmers and the sectors due to the drought affecting all the regions. Most farmers are unable to repay banks due to the number of livestock they have lost. The indebted farmers are at risk of having their farms auctioned off and Venaani wants Government to intervene, saying farmers should be the most protected investors by any country. Finance Minister, Calle Schlettwein said Government has not turned a blind eye on the farmers as it has through Agribank implemented a relief programme for the affected farmers so that those who are unable to pay can approach Agribank to renegotiate the payment model. He says commercial banks have the responsibility to come to the party and make sure that those affected are surviving during times of the drought and other emergencies. He also reminded the house that financial institutions have to do these interventions within their financial ability without being dictated by the Government on how to deal with certain things. Agribank is now faced with liquidity issues as it does not receive any cash flow anymore due to farmers who are unable to pay back their loans. The decrease in the number of cattle after the drought is estimated at around 48% while the sheep and goats went down with 46.