More than N$101 million has been paid out to farmers across Namibia under the Livestock Marketing Incentive Programme since its launch in October 2023. The programme is a key part of government efforts to support farmers affected by persistent drought.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare confirmed the figures during a session of the National Assembly , in response to questions from NUDO parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandurozu. According to Ngurare, over 25 000 subsidy claims have been submitted so far, with 23 203 claims already processed and paid out, amounting to just over N$101 million. The remaining 2 219 claims, worth close to N$8.8 million, are still being finalised.
The subsidy, funded through the National Emergency Disaster Fund under the Office of the Prime Minister, was allocated a budget of N$100 million. It covers livestock sales, feed purchases, grazing leases and transport costs to help farmers keep their operations afloat.
Ngurare acknowledged that some farmers have experienced delays in receiving payments, often due to incomplete or incorrect forms submitted at local agriculture offices. Applications are first handled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, which is responsible for checking and validating documents before forwarding them to the OPM for payment. Once claims reach the OPM and are deemed complete, the typical turnaround time is about three to four weeks.
To cope with the high number of claims, the OPM’s Directorate of Disaster Risk Management has added capacity to its core team of accountants. Sixteen additional finance staff members have been assigned to help process payments, often working after hours. The OPM has also requested approval to bring in graduates and interns to further boost capacity and offer short-term employment opportunities.
Asked whether the process could be decentralised to regional councils, Ngurare explained that such decisions fall under the Ministry of Agriculture. While the OPM handles payments, the ministry is responsible for implementing the programme, setting budgets and managing regional offices.
Ngurare stressed that while there are still bottlenecks, the government remains committed to supporting farmers. He encouraged applicants to ensure their submissions are accurate and complete to avoid delays and said the system is being continually improved to deliver faster, more efficient assistance.
