Unlock NCA potential and revive extension, Agra CEO stresses

Agra CEO Arnold Klein has called for targeted, immediate action to fully integrate Namibia’s Northern Communal Areas into the country’s broader agricultural value chain.Speaking at the inaugural Namibia Public-Private Forum on behalf of the agriculture working group, Klein stressed that the sector is a vital engine for economic growth and a key tool for addressing unemployment and rapid urbanisation.“We have got to look at diesel; it is one of the most expensive production costs for farmers, and we need to address the health status of the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs). The NCAs cannot participate in the marketing of livestock the way we would like if we do not have proper vaccination programmes, and if we cannot restrict the movement of animals beyond borders,” Klein said.“We need incentives to increase production, from crops to livestock, even fodder, to have feedlots in Namibia to retain the meat locally and add value to it,” he added.Klein also called for the revival of livestock extension programmes to provide farmers with training aimed at boosting productivity. “We have to revive extension services to provide training to farmers. To upscale our farmers, we definitely need rural development programmes so that we can transform rural areas into primary production centres and processing hubs. By doing that, we will curb urbanisation,” he said.Touching on Namibia’s green schemes, Klein emphasised the importance of increased government-private sector partnerships built on transparency. “Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) with green schemes need to be implemented as transparent partnerships to unlock their high potential,” he said.Klein singled out the agricultural sector as critical for addressing unemployment and urbanisation but stressed that government support and incentives are essential for its growth.“Currently, agriculture contributes 7.3% to gross domestic product (GDP) and 16.1% to national employment. Looking at these figures, agriculture is a key enabler to eradicate unemployment. We need to transform rural areas into primary production centres and processing hubs to curb urbanisation, and that is what we aim to do,” Klein said in his presentation to the forum, which included President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.The forum concludes today.

Unlock NCA potential and revive extension, Agra CEO stresses

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Republikein 2026-03-17

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Unlock NCA potential and revive extension, Agra CEO stresses

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