Namibia aims to cut food imports by 80%, says president
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has placed food security and agriculture at the heart of Namibia’s economic recovery plan, announcing bold measures to cut agricultural imports by 80% and boost local production.
Delivering her first state of the nation address (Sona) in Windhoek last Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said government plans to inject N$561 million into agri-infrastructure development during the 2025/26 financial year while revitalising long-struggling green schemes and expanding agro-processing industries.
"The founding president [Sam Nujoma] taught us [that] a nation that cannot feed itself will never be respected," she said. "By placing emphasis on food security, climate-resilient and competitive agriculture, the 8th administration aims to reduce agriculture imports by 80%."
In addition, government is set to introduce a cattle breed improvement (bull) and herd restocking scheme targeting emerging, resettled and communal farmers to strengthen Namibia’s beef industry.
Opposition concerns
While the president’s ambitions drew some praise, opposition leaders raised several concerns about the scale of investment.
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi criticised the N$561 million allocation for agriculture, arguing that it is inadequate for a sector crippled by two decades of drought.
He added that the absence of meaningful government subsidies, compared to Europe’s generous agricultural support, stifles Namibia’s farming potential.
"We are emerging from 20 years of drought and it's impossible for farmers to restock or mechanise," Swartbooi stressed, noting that many young black farmers are abandoning agriculture altogether due to unsustainable costs.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani echoed these sentiments, questioning the government’s priorities.
"Why underfund agriculture with a meagre N$2.6 billion if we want to change the country, create value chains and create job security?" Venaani asked, arguing that too much was being spent on security at the expense of productive sectors.
Fuller basket
In response, Nandi-Ndaitwah defended government’s strategy, saying the agricultural investment would be complemented by private sector participation.
She stressed that green schemes would not be handed over entirely to private operators but managed through partnerships where the state retains equity.
"The private sector has to bring something to the table," she said. "We are going to make sure that the green schemes are at full operation while also helping small-scale farmers contribute to the food basket."
Experts say that Namibia's agriculture sector has long struggled with low productivity, droughts and overreliance on imports. According to previous reports from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), it is estimated that over 60% of food consumed in Namibia is imported, mainly from South Africa.
Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organisation has cautioned that Namibia’s import dependence exposes it to supply shocks and food price instability.
Delivering her first state of the nation address (Sona) in Windhoek last Thursday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said government plans to inject N$561 million into agri-infrastructure development during the 2025/26 financial year while revitalising long-struggling green schemes and expanding agro-processing industries.
"The founding president [Sam Nujoma] taught us [that] a nation that cannot feed itself will never be respected," she said. "By placing emphasis on food security, climate-resilient and competitive agriculture, the 8th administration aims to reduce agriculture imports by 80%."
In addition, government is set to introduce a cattle breed improvement (bull) and herd restocking scheme targeting emerging, resettled and communal farmers to strengthen Namibia’s beef industry.
Opposition concerns
While the president’s ambitions drew some praise, opposition leaders raised several concerns about the scale of investment.
Landless People’s Movement (LPM) leader Bernadus Swartbooi criticised the N$561 million allocation for agriculture, arguing that it is inadequate for a sector crippled by two decades of drought.
He added that the absence of meaningful government subsidies, compared to Europe’s generous agricultural support, stifles Namibia’s farming potential.
"We are emerging from 20 years of drought and it's impossible for farmers to restock or mechanise," Swartbooi stressed, noting that many young black farmers are abandoning agriculture altogether due to unsustainable costs.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani echoed these sentiments, questioning the government’s priorities.
"Why underfund agriculture with a meagre N$2.6 billion if we want to change the country, create value chains and create job security?" Venaani asked, arguing that too much was being spent on security at the expense of productive sectors.
Fuller basket
In response, Nandi-Ndaitwah defended government’s strategy, saying the agricultural investment would be complemented by private sector participation.
She stressed that green schemes would not be handed over entirely to private operators but managed through partnerships where the state retains equity.
"The private sector has to bring something to the table," she said. "We are going to make sure that the green schemes are at full operation while also helping small-scale farmers contribute to the food basket."
Experts say that Namibia's agriculture sector has long struggled with low productivity, droughts and overreliance on imports. According to previous reports from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), it is estimated that over 60% of food consumed in Namibia is imported, mainly from South Africa.
Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organisation has cautioned that Namibia’s import dependence exposes it to supply shocks and food price instability.
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