Agriculture Namibia’s top priority – Nandi-Ndaitwah

Jacques du ToitAgriculture is the cornerstone of Namibia’s development agenda, according to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who reaffirmed this sentiment during the 2025 Agri Outlook Conference, emphasising that her government considers the sector the country’s top national priority.Addressing farmers from across Namibia, including representatives from the four major agricultural unions, the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU), the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), and the Previously Disadvantaged Namibian Farmers Union (PDNFU), the president highlighted the sector’s central role in socio-economic growth and food security.Engine for development“As I look in this hall, I’m really in Namibia. First and foremost, we are all Namibians and nothing else,” she said, expressing pride in the diversity of the country’s farming community. Speaking under the conference theme “Harvesting the Future”, she stressed that agriculture is vital to national development: “Agriculture is needed for industrialisation, job creation and food security.”The president outlined her government’s strategic focus on agriculture as part of broader economic and development policies, referencing the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6) and the Swapo Party Implementation Manifesto, both of which emphasise agriculture as a key driver of growth.“Most countries in the world have developed through agricultural transformation, and that is what we want to see in Namibia, cognisant of our climatic conditions. The agricultural sector serves as a base for manufacturing and a significant source of foreign earnings. However, the sector has faced volatility due to changing climate conditions and, to some extent, inadequate investment,” she said.Local innovation key Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasised that agriculture contributes directly to national self-reliance and global respect. Quoting Namibia’s founding president, she said: “A nation that cannot feed itself cannot be respected. Who does not want to be respected? I must walk tall among nations because I know I can feed myself.”She noted that Namibia’s agricultural produce – from beef and grapes to vegetables – not only supports domestic food security but also earns valuable foreign exchange through exports.Highlighting the importance of producing seeds locally, she said: “We need seeds; we cannot always look outside. We must reach the point where our seeds become competitive.” Referring to research at UNAM’s Ogongo Campus, she urged stronger collaboration between the university, industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture to turn research into practical solutions for farmers.Nandi-Ndaitwah also underlined the transformative potential of agriculture for wealth creation, especially for young Namibians. “The future billionaires will be those in agriculture,” she said, citing recent remarks by the President of the African Development Bank. “This is encouraging because no one wants to enter a sector without knowing its potential. Now, research and facts show that the future billionaires are in agriculture.”She stressed the importance of translating discussions into action: “We can have many conferences, but if we forget after leaving the hall, it will be as if nothing happened.” Referring to Green Schemes in the northern regions, she urged both production and processing expansion: “The time must come in Namibia when we have production centres in rural areas and make our towns processing hubs.”Priority number oneReaffirming her government’s commitment, Nandi-Ndaitwah said: “We value engagements such as this with all stakeholders in our priority sectors.” She called for shared responsibility: “A lot can be said about what the government has not done – I accept that. But I also want to hear what the industry can do, so that together we can make agriculture play its rightful role.”With agriculture positioned as Namibia’s number one priority, her message was clear: “Your sector is number one (of seven) in this administration.” She encouraged all Namibians – farmers, youth, investors, and researchers – to view agriculture not only as a livelihood, but as the engine driving Namibia’s economic growth, self-reliance, and future prosperity.

Agriculture Namibia’s top priority – Nandi-Ndaitwah

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Republikein 2025-12-11

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Agriculture Namibia’s top priority – Nandi-Ndaitwah

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