In a bold move to cultivate self-sufficiency and banish reliance on foreign food, Namibia is digging deep into its coffers, earmarking a substantial N$561 million for a major overhaul of its agricultural infrastructure. The ambitious plan, unveiled by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in her inaugural state of the nation address on Thursday, aims to slash agricultural imports by a staggering 80% under her administration’s watch.
Declaring agriculture the “top priority” in her government’s implementation playbook, President Nandi-Ndaitwah minced no words about the nation’s determination to nourish itself. “By emphasising food security and climate-resilient and competitive agriculture, the eighth administration aims to reduce agricultural imports by 80%,” she asserted. The hefty N$561 million injection for the upcoming 2025/26 financial year is intended to lay the groundwork for this ambitious vision.
The President further revealed plans to breathe new life into the country’s eleven state-run “green schemes,” many of which have languished under the strain of drought and bureaucratic hurdles. Intensified agro-processing activities are also on the cards, signalling a concerted effort to add value to locally grown produce.
Beyond bricks and mortar, the government is also setting its sights on the quality of Namibia’s livestock. A nationwide cattle breed improvement and herd restocking scheme is set to be rolled out, with a specific focus on empowering emerging, resettled, and communal farmers. This initiative, which includes subsidisation programmes already underway, aims to bolster livestock productivity through techniques like crossbreeding and artificial insemination.
“The breed improvement is targeting emerging, resettled, and communal farmers. Since last year, we have started several subsidisation programmes for our farmers. I’m not saying it’s enough, but we have started,” the President acknowledged. She also addressed the thorny issue of expensive agricultural inputs, stating that this was “not talking to our agenda of food security,” hinting at potential future interventions.
The timing of this agricultural push comes as Namibia’s beef industry grapples with significant headwinds. Recent figures from the Livestock and Livestock Products Board paint a stark picture, with cattle sales plummeting by a dramatic 49.1% in January compared to the previous year. This underscores the urgency of the government’s intervention to revitalise the sector, which remains a crucial employer, accounting for nearly a quarter of all direct jobs.
This latest commitment builds on previous efforts, such as the N$62 million allocated last year to support farmers in drought-stricken regions. President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement signals a significant escalation in the government’s determination to cultivate a more resilient and self-reliant agricultural sector, one that can weather the vagaries of climate and the pressures of the global market. The success of this multi-million-dollar gamble will be closely watched as Namibia aims to transform its fields and feed its nation.
