Agri-minister lauds NAB’s unqualified audit report

Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has called for a united effort to transform Namibia’s crop sub-sector into a globally competitive industry, as the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) launched a series of key strategic documents in Windhoek.Speaking at the unveiling of the NAB’s 2023/24 annual report, its five-year Integrated Strategic Plan (2025–2030), the Crop Value Chain Development Strategy, and the Potato Development Scheme, Zaamwani praised the board for its renewed commitment to accountability, innovation, and sectoral growth.The minister stressed that the NAB is no longer just a regulator but has become an enabler of growth and transformation in agriculture. “Normally, when we hear of regulators, the perception is that they only watch and punish when you step out of line. That is not what we heard today,” Zaamwani said. “NAB has put its heart and soul into this sector. They want to grow it, sustain it and make it long-term.”She lauded the NAB for receiving an unqualified audit opinion on its 2023/24 report, calling it a strong demonstration of transparency and governance in a sector where public confidence is critical. “In a time when accountability is demanded more than ever, this outcome is a strong message that public enterprises can deliver both development and clean governance,” she said.Food security and import substitutionAt the core of the newly launched strategies lie Namibia’s national goal of ensuring food security and reducing import dependency. Currently, the country imports large volumes of staple crops, including potatoes. According to Zaamwani, this reliance on imports undermines Namibia’s food sovereignty.“Our target, according to NDP6, is that by 2030 we produce at least 80% of what we consume,” she explained. “The focus is on ensuring self-sufficiency at both household and national levels.”The minister emphasised that while Namibia seeks to increase domestic production, it remains part of a global market. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement presents both opportunities and challenges.“Competition is not just from the South, but across Africa. We must be competitive to play evenly in this environment,” she said.Standards as ‘passports to markets’Zaamwani highlighted the importance of standards and regulatory frameworks, describing them not as barriers but as essential enablers of market access. She pointed to ongoing work on local GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) standards as key to unlocking new opportunities for Namibian farmers.“Whether it is potatoes for retail shelves in Windhoek, grapes for Europe, or dates for the Middle East, we want Namibia to be known as a destination for high-value, high-quality produce,” she said, noting that Namibian grapes reach the market earlier than South African exports, while Namibian dates are prized for their unique flavour.Zaamwani outlined the government’s priority investment areas under NDP6: irrigation schemes, water infrastructure, storage facilities, logistics and cold-chain systems, and agricultural research. She also called for stronger collaboration in developing locally branded seeds and reducing input costs, particularly fertilisers, which have surged in price due to global supply shocks.“One of our focus areas is to encourage the production of inputs locally - whether fodder, seeds or fertilisers,” she said. “This will reduce the high costs farmers are facing.”Youth, women, and the private sectorA central theme of the minister’s address was inclusivity. She urged NAB and sector partners to make deliberate efforts to bring young people and women into agribusiness.“We need mentors who can guide emerging farmers through the entire value chain,” she said, citing the example of a resettled farmer who, with mentorship, successfully entered stud breeding.Zaamwani also welcomed the role of private sector investors and financial institutions, commending Agribank for introducing innovative financing models that use production agreements as collateral rather than traditional securities.The minister stressed that the strategies launched are not merely documents but roadmaps for action. Their success, she said, depends on collaboration across all actors in the sector.“The ministry and the NAB cannot do it all alone,” she said. “We invite the private sector to invest in agro-processing and distribution networks. We invite financial institutions to extend innovative financing. And we call upon farmers to adopt modern practices, embrace technology, and adhere to quality standards.”A transformative visionZaamwani concluded with a rallying call for collective responsibility in shaping Namibia’s agricultural future.“Today’s occasion is more than the ceremonial unveiling of documents. It is the formal launch of a renewed, forward-looking vision for Namibia’s crop sub-sector. We are charting a course towards a future where our crop sector is sustainable, resilient and globally competitive,” she said.She described the vision as bold and inclusive, rooted in national aspirations of food sovereignty, diversification, and import reduction.“These efforts will empower producers, stimulate agribusiness, and create dignified livelihoods for our people. Let us walk this journey together - government, farmers, industry, and communities - towards food security, prosperity and transformation.”

Agri-minister lauds NAB’s unqualified audit report

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Agri-minister lauds NAB’s unqualified audit report

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