By Erasmus Shalihaxwe

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said despite being the largest employer in Namibia, the agricultural workforce is ageing, and it is worrisome that the youth are lacking interest in agriculture-related jobs. She was speaking at the Agri-outlook conference that took place in Windhoek this week. The conference brought together farmers from all corners of the country both, communal, emerging and commercial farmers, including supporting organisations, local and international agricultural experts. 

With the primary goal to share knowledge and plan how to improve Namibian farmers’ productivity and profitability to contribute to livelihood, food security and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

The head of State said that the agricultural sector, is a cornerstone of Namibia’s socio-economic development, providing rural income and ensuring food security. While about 70 percent of the Namibian population derives directly their livelihood from the livestock and crop value chains. All people of the world depend on agriculture for their survival. Highlighting the importance of attaining adequate basic agricultural inputs for increased production, thereby, improving the sectors’ economic competitiveness and further sustaining the entire value chain.

Adding that the agricultural sector serves as a catalyst for the manufacturing industry and a significant source of foreign earnings. However, the sector over the years have experienced volatility caused by a combination of changing climatic conditions and inadequate investment in the sector. ‘’Despite being the largest employer in Namibia, the agricultural workforce is ageing, with signs that the youth are lacking interest in agriculture related jobs. 

Although the food and nutrition security situation has improved over the past decades, some level of undernourishment persists. It is imperative that a conducive environment has to be created for agriculture through connectivity, creativity and access to finance for the sector to save its purpose,’’ she alluded.

She reiterated that the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for agriculture to thrive, and engagement initiatives are deeply valued with all stakeholders on all priority areas and critical economic enablers. Thus, agriculture stands at the cusp of great opportunity in Namibia.

As the eighth Administration has prioritised agriculture as one of its seven Priority Areas in the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), as well as, the Swapo party manifesto implementation plan. Which highlight the importance of the agricultural sector and propose tangible interventions. improve production as well as assistance to farmers and secondary producers. ‘’This decision was intentional as we recognize that agriculture is directly linked to development. Most of the countries in the world have developed through agricultural transformation and that is what we want to see in Namibia, cognizant of our climatic conditions, said Nandi-Ndaitwah."

It is also not by chance that agriculture also doubles as one of the eight critical economic enablers. Agriculture is needed for industrialization, job creation and food security. Our Founding President, His Excellency Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, may his soul rest in peace, taught us that a nation that cannot feed itself cannot be respected,’’ she stated.

She added that earlier this year, she visited the Green Schemes in Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West and Omusati Regions. Which was greatly encouraging to see government potential and opportunity for to feed the nation from the produce of the green schemes. Even though many challenges remain and more support is needed for the green schemes to reach full production. The optimism in the sector is fueling the potential for the setting up of industries through processing plants.

‘’The challenges before us in the agriculture sector such as, climate change, soil degradation, consumer demands, to name a few, define how we grow, distribute, and consume food. In the face of these challenges lie the seeds to transform our agriculture sector.
In order to harvest the future, we must reimagine agriculture as a smart, sustainable, and inclusive engine of development by embracing climate-resilient practices, investing in innovation and agri-tech, supporting smallholder farmers, and building value chains that are both equitable and efficient,’’ assured the President.