Farming, land reform, drought, livestock.
The 2026/27 Mid-Year Budget Review allocated nearly N$180 million to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which threatens livestock farmers, rural livelihoods and export markets. An additional N$5 million was set aside for the National Sanitary Pad Initiative, and N$40 million for the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency to purchase surplus grain for the national strategic grain reserve.
4 hours ago · New Era →
The 2026/27 Mid-Year Budget Review allocated nearly N$180 million to combat Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which threatens livestock farmers, rural livelihoods and export markets. An additional N$5 million was set aside for the National Sanitary Pad Initiative, and N$40 million for the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency to purchase surplus grain for the national strategic grain reserve.
4 hours ago · New Era →
Namibia plans to submit a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zone bid by year end and could take up to two years to eliminate the disease from a proposed containment zone, according to the Livestock and Livestock Products Board executive. Areas outside the affected zone would be able to regain their FMD-free status while authorities continue fighting the disease within the containment zone.
21 hours ago · The Namibian →
The Agricultural Bank of Namibia provided N$366.9 million in loans between April and August to support the agricultural sector, with portions directed to women, young people, and communal farmers, while the government allocated N$40 million to buy surplus grain for national strategic reserves ahead of anticipated El Niño weather.
21 hours ago · The Namibian →
The government has allocated N$179 million in the midterm budget to the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform for containment and management of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The amount was mobilised through a 2% reduction applied to the expenditure ceilings of all offices, ministries, and agencies.
22 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Namibian agriculture faces considerable change from climate variability, animal health challenges including Foot-and-Mouth Disease, rising input costs, and shifting markets. Farmers who succeed during difficult periods are those that understand their operations, know their numbers, and adapt when circumstances change.
22 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The directorate of veterinary services in the agriculture ministry is hosting foot-and-mouth disease information sessions in the ǁKharas Region.
22 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
China's ambassador to Namibia says Namibia has approved the export of table grapes and wild aquatic products to China, with cooperation strengthened through agricultural science and technology exchanges. The minister of agriculture noted Namibia is shifting toward irrigation and climate-smart farming methods.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Nakalega Youth Irrigation Project in Oshana region produces fruits and vegetables but faces difficulty finding buyers. The project, which employs seven young people permanently and covers 12 hectares, also contends with high fertiliser prices and rising pest-control chemical costs.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Professor Joseph Diescho says traditional Namibian food should be part of everyday meals rather than reserved for cultural events, and that Namibians need to change their attitude towards locally produced food to strengthen the agricultural sector. Diescho also criticised practices at official events where guests are separated into different eating areas based on appearance or status.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A Gibeon Village Council councillor has called on the government to provide disaster funding and emergency equipment, warning that the village lacks resources to handle veld fires, floods, and disease outbreaks. He notes that ongoing foot-and-mouth disease restrictions could leave communal farmers without income, and that the finance minister has said she cannot commit to providing subsidies to affected farmers.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The South African Feedlot Association has decided not to support imports of live cattle and beef products from Namibia and Botswana due to concerns over foot-and-mouth disease, citing the need to protect South Africa's livestock industry and international beef export markets.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, detected in the //Kharas region, threatens to disrupt the livestock sector's economic recovery and cause prolonged financial damage to farmers and businesses. The Economic Association of Namibia is calling for government intervention, including trade negotiations with international partners and financial relief for affected producers.
21 October 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned traditional leaders that selling communal land as personal property could result in criminal cases, calling on them to end corruption and illegal land allocations that deny disadvantaged communities access to land. She stated that traditional authorities do not own communal land unless they have purchased it through proper channels as individuals.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Young people in Kavango East will gain practical agricultural skills at the newly inaugurated Linus Shashipapo Climate Change Action Centre, where they can learn horticulture, sustainable production and climate-smart technologies alongside employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Members of the public reported approximately 80 unattended cattle near Otjiwarongo plots, with complaints to the municipality, police and veterinary services yielding no immediate response. The Municipality issued a public notice on 28 September 2026 prohibiting unattended livestock within town boundaries, citing road safety risks and foot-and-mouth disease concerns, with impoundment charges set at N$367.60 per animal per day.
20 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The 2026 Bank Windhoek Agriculture Series, scheduled for 30 October 2026, will address Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and its impact on Namibia and Southern Africa's agricultural sector, following confirmation of FMD in the Karasburg State Veterinary District with 131 animals testing positive across 18 farms by 13 October 2026.
20 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The cancellation of this year's Boer Goat Competition at the Keetmanshoop agricultural expo has left breeders facing financial losses after months of preparing their animals.
20 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Officials say the Orange River veterinary cordon fence will be continuously maintained and patrolled by veterinary personnel and law enforcement agencies.
20 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that the current Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in Namibian livestock is completely unrelated to Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease reported in human populations and crèches. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals but does not infect humans.
19 October 2026 · New Era →
Neckartal Dam outside Keetmanshoop has overflowed twice in two years while Windhoek's supply dams stood at 57.7%, with the Omatako Dam at 12.7%. Namibia ranks fifth out of 14 southern African markets for natural water resources, but the difficulty is where that water falls and where it flows to, with most rainfall lost to evaporation and water storage concentrated in the south and far north while the economy has grown in the centre and on the coast.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Livestock farmers in the Zambezi region have questioned what they describe as unequal government response to foot-and-mouth disease, saying their longstanding concerns about the disease and difficulties selling cattle have yet to be adequately addressed, and contrasting their experience with the nationwide restrictions that followed an outbreak in the //Kharas region.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's livestock industry plans to propose measures allowing animals to move to abattoirs under veterinary control during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and livestock trade suspension. The industry has also asked authorities to consider interim trade arrangements while formal market-access processes proceed, which the Namibia Agricultural Union said could take six to seven months.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The chief veterinary officer confirmed that 131 animals on 18 farms in the ||Kharas region tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease by Thursday.
19 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
An FMD outbreak confirmed at Kalala Island on 7 October has led to suspension of livestock auctions, movement restrictions and a ban on slaughtering in the Zambezi region, leaving farmers and informal traders unable to sell cattle for household expenses and school fees.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →