We must invest in Agribusiness: Nandi-Ndaitwah
Deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the time has come for Namibia and Angola to invest in Agribusiness as agriculture remains the most important sector to create food security for both countries.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the statement during the recent Namibia and Angola business forum held at Helao Nafidi in the Ohangwena Region.
Her remarks came after Namibia had lent a helping hand to Angolans who escaped from their country because of hunger. Their plight was that of starvation. They came to Namibia escaping hunger back home. Cunene provincial governor Gerdina Ulipamwe Didalelwa in May 2021 came to Namibia and asked the migrants to return back home to Angola so their government can tend to them. They had refused and agreed to only go back once it rains so they can work their field. The people do not believe their government will keep its word and offer assistance.
Wakeup call
Nandi-Ndaitwah said for too long they have made their countries depend on food supply from other countries and the disruption in food supply from Ukraine and Russia must be a wake-up call for them to produce what they consume.
She said Angola has an abundance of good soil and water, both well suited for vastly expanded output of staples such as wheat, maize and sorghum, while Namibia has untapped potential in these areas as well, along with special expertise I dry-climate products as dates and table grapes among others.
“Let us harness these resources and make Namibia and Angola not just reliable suppliers to our own people, but exports to the world,” Nandi-Ndaitwah urged.
She added that the two countries should become suppliers not just of primary products but of higher-valued processed goods.
“The backwards and forwards linkage from the agricultural sector has been a key component driving the economic development of all the major industrialized economies, and we should be no exception,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
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Nandi-Ndaitwah made the statement during the recent Namibia and Angola business forum held at Helao Nafidi in the Ohangwena Region.
Her remarks came after Namibia had lent a helping hand to Angolans who escaped from their country because of hunger. Their plight was that of starvation. They came to Namibia escaping hunger back home. Cunene provincial governor Gerdina Ulipamwe Didalelwa in May 2021 came to Namibia and asked the migrants to return back home to Angola so their government can tend to them. They had refused and agreed to only go back once it rains so they can work their field. The people do not believe their government will keep its word and offer assistance.
Wakeup call
Nandi-Ndaitwah said for too long they have made their countries depend on food supply from other countries and the disruption in food supply from Ukraine and Russia must be a wake-up call for them to produce what they consume.
She said Angola has an abundance of good soil and water, both well suited for vastly expanded output of staples such as wheat, maize and sorghum, while Namibia has untapped potential in these areas as well, along with special expertise I dry-climate products as dates and table grapes among others.
“Let us harness these resources and make Namibia and Angola not just reliable suppliers to our own people, but exports to the world,” Nandi-Ndaitwah urged.
She added that the two countries should become suppliers not just of primary products but of higher-valued processed goods.
“The backwards and forwards linkage from the agricultural sector has been a key component driving the economic development of all the major industrialized economies, and we should be no exception,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
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