Namibia launches 2025/26 conservation agriculture programme

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) has officially outlined the implementation guidelines for the 2025/26 financial year of the Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme II (CCAP). The programme targets small and medium-scale cereal and horticulture farmers across Namibia’s 14 regions, aiming to improve sustainable crop production and enhance national food security.CCAP is designed to address land degradation and the impacts of climate change by promoting three principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA): continuous minimum mechanical soil disturbance; permanent organic soil cover; and crop diversification. The programme also seeks to increase awareness of CA among farmers, extension workers, researchers and policymakers, while providing practical training and research support.Advancing sustainable farming practicesKey objectives of the programme include increasing stakeholder knowledge of CA; building the capacity of farmers and extension staff; conducting farmer-focused research; establishing coordinated institutional arrangements; ensuring access to CA equipment, inputs, services and markets; and monitoring and evaluating adoption and impact.During the 2025/26 financial year, the programme plans to support 310 lead farmers through training, demonstrations, field days and exposure visits, including partnerships with FAO, GIZ, DAPP, WFP and EIF. A total of 4 000 farming households are expected to be educated about CA principles and a total of 60 farmers are expected to farming with all three CA principles. Regional Conservation Agriculture Forums (RCAFs) will be held in each of the regions, with one National Conservation Agriculture Forum (NCAF) planned at the national level.Implementation will be overseen by the Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES), responsible for awareness creation, monitoring and facilitating training. The Directorate of Research and Development (DARD) will coordinate research activities, provide foundation seeds for multiplication, and develop farm implements, machinery and evidence-based technologies to improve yields. Regional Councils will manage programme payments and provide financial reports, while Traditional Authorities and Regional Councilors will assist with awareness efforts.Budget allocationThe programme has been allocated N$2 million for the 2025/26 financial year. Of this amount, N$1.8 million will be transferred to the Regional Councils for programme implementation. The allocations per region are a Kavango West N$180 000, Kavango East N$70 000, Ohangwena N$62 000, Oshana N$200 000, Oshikoto N$130 000, Omusati N$55 000, Kunene N$150 000, Omaheke N$120 000, Otjozondjupa N$193 000, Khomas N$120 000, Erongo N$200 000, Hardap N$170 000, and //Kharas N$150 000.No new allocation is planned for Zambezi in 2025/26 as the region will use the balance brought forward from the previous year.The budget covers capacity building of staff and farmers, procurement of training materials and inputs, establishment and maintenance of demonstration plots, provision of CA equipment and fuel, and subsidies for mechanized ripping services. Regional and national forums are also included in the budget.For further information, the Ministry has provided regional focal contacts. They are:&bull; Benard Masiye (Zambezi; 081 629 7008)&bull; Scholastika Kaundu (Oshana; 081 871 2083)&bull; Katrina Moses (Kavango East; 081 864 2497)&bull; Aina Shaanika (Ohangwena; 081 273 8294)&bull; Ladislaus Kudumo (Kavango West; 081 442 6588)&bull; Megameno Amutenya (Omusati; 081 277 0609)&bull; Thomas Napweya (Oshikoto; 081 440 7303)&bull; Ngujama Tjirora (Kunene; 081 253 4131)&bull; Charley Hianja (Otjozondjupa; 081 853 7676)&bull; Elvid Upendura (Omaheke; 081 324 3821)&bull; Martha Gorases (Khomas; 081 211 8615)&bull; Joel Kooitjie (Erongo; 081 276 6922)&bull; Luise Shikongo (//Kharas; 081 499 5466)&bull; Paul Diergaardt (Hardap; 081 235 6828).Head office contacts include Ben Haraseb, Director of DAPEES (Tel: 061 2087493), and Programme Coordinators James Nzehengwa (061 2087312) and Benita Elago (contact via MAFWLR).The ministry emphasises that CCAP will continue to rely on collaboration with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation and nationwide adoption of CA practices.

Namibia launches 2025/26 conservation agriculture programme

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Republikein 2025-09-17

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Namibia launches 2025/26 conservation agriculture programme

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