Building the Namibian agricultural sector

Agribank is a development finance institution that provides financial assistance to individuals, business entities and financial intermediaries for the promotion of agriculture and related activities in Namibia. Agribank offers competitive interest rates, making it the most affordable lender in the agriculture financing sector in Namibia.The bank’s overall goal is to be a catalyst in transforming the agricultural sector.The mission is to promote socio-economic development through affordable and innovative agricultural financing solutions.The bank is headed by Dr Raphael Karuaihe, who previously worked as the head of commodities at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in South Africa from 2012 until this year. At the JSE, he oversaw agricultural and non-agricultural commodities within the capital markets division.Guided Agribank employs over 148 employees. The bank is guided by a system of core values the bank refers to as CAPFIT. These include customer service: To strive towards excellent service for customers. Accountability: Taking account or responsibility for actions that they take in pursuit of their mandate. Professionalism: Striving to apply skills, competence, and character, which is expected of highly trained professionals in the conduct of their business and the execution of their mandate.Fairness is also one of the CAPFIT values: To strive towards equitable and fair treatment of all their stakeholders. Finally, transparency, defined as openness in all dealings and to public scrutiny.Agribank promotes its products through a multimedia approach, using social media as well as conventional media platforms. They also participate in farmers’ events such as auctions, information days, and agricultural expos, which serve as another channel through which the bank markets its products.The bank operates from eight centres nationwide, namely Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Grootfontein, Oshakati, Otjiwarongo, Windhoek, Gobabis and Mariental. Alternatively, they have an interactive website through which information is shared and applicants can apply for products. Agribank also maintains a presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.Agri advisory services currently provided to farmers:Farmers’ information days (FIDs)FIDs are held to provide information awareness to farmers on agricultural services. This is a platform to identify constituency-specific training needs and offer tailor-made follow-up training.Evening and day lecturesEvening and day lectures are designed to develop the knowledge base of employed part-time farmers (clients and non-clients) dwelling in towns. Lectures vary in topics, from livestock, poultry, and crop production to climate resilience.Practical sessionsPractical Sessions are designed to provide a practical component, or "hands-on training" to urban farmers to complement the theory provided at evening lectures.Short training coursesTraining courses are designed to deliver more intensive training to farmers (clients and non-clients) with both theoretical and practical components. Courses are two days or more in duration.ExcursionsExcursions are designed to expose farmers to best farming practices that can be applied to their own farming operations to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Building the Namibian agricultural sector

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Republikein 2026-02-03

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Building the Namibian agricultural sector

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