Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
August 2026
Informanté
Ministry of AgricultureterminatedRemote Sensing Agricultural Services Agreement with 6th Grain Corporation
Source
“THE Ministry of Agriculture has formally terminated its Remote Sensing Agricultural Services Agreement with 6th Grain Corporation, which was intended to facilitate the implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery-driven crop monitoring system.”
Ministry of AgriculturesignedProtocol with China's General Administration of Customs on phytosanitary requirements for grape exports
Source
“NAMIBIA'S Ministry of Agriculture and China's General Administration of Customs have signed a Protocol outlining the phytosanitary requirements for the export of fresh Namibian table grapes to the Chinese market.”
Ministry of Agricultureis preparing to constructveterinary cordon fence along Namibia–South Africa border
Source
“THE Ministry of Agriculture is stepping up efforts to safeguard Namibia's livestock sector, with preparations underway for the construction of a veterinary cordon fence along the Namibia–South Africa border.”
Ministry of AgriculturedrivesSmall Stock Revolving Scheme poverty-alleviation and climate-resilience initiative
Source
“The Small Stock Revolving Scheme is a poverty-alleviation and climate-resilience initiative driven by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF).”
Ministry of Agricultureis conductingspraying operations to combat locust swarms in Maltahöhe District
Source
“Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture are currently conducting spraying operations to combat locust swarms in the Maltahöhe District, Hardap Region.”
Ministry of Agricultureappointednew members to the Land Reform Advisory Commission
Source
“THE Ministry of Agriculture has appointed new members to the Land Reform Advisory Commission, which is tasked with advising the Minister on issues related to the acquisition, allocation and administration of commercial agricultural land for land reform purposes.”
The Ministry of Agricultureis in the process of upgradingagricultural centres into fully operational agricultural training centres by 2027
Source
“THE Ministry of Agriculture's Acting Executive Director, Alfred Sikopo, has announced that the ministry is in the process of upgrading agricultural centres across the country into fully operational agricultural training centres by 2027.”
Ministry of Agriculturehas deployed10 tractors to assist farmers in transporting harvested crops from flooded fields
Source
“The agriculture ministry has deployed 10 tractors to assist farmers in transporting harvested crops from flooded fields to higher grounds in the Masokotwani, Zilitene, Machita, Lusu, Mbilajwe, Miyako, Linyanti and Sangwali villages in the Zambezi region.”
The Ministry of Agriculture has formally terminated its Remote Sensing Agricultural Services Agreement with 6th Grain Corporation, which aimed to implement an AI and satellite imagery-driven crop monitoring system. The ministry's spokesperson stated the decision followed a review that found the agreement did not meet requisite legal and procedural requirements for government contracts.
The Ministry of Agriculture has formally terminated its Remote Sensing Agricultural Services Agreement with 6th Grain Corporation, which aimed to implement an AI and satellite imagery-driven crop monitoring system. The ministry's spokesperson stated the decision followed a review that found the agreement did not meet requisite legal and procedural requirements for government contracts.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has criticised the management of government green schemes, describing conditions at the Hardap Green Scheme as "a disaster" due to poor maintenance, mismanagement, and lack of proper governance, following an oversight visit to agricultural projects in Hardap Region.
NamWater has started construction of the Naute–Keetmanshoop Water Pipeline Replacement Project, valued at N$219,697,642.12 inclusive of VAT and fully funded by the corporation. The existing pipeline has been in service since 1972.
The Ministry of Agriculture has acquired 20,248.2917 hectares of land at a cost of N$19,537,491.59 for the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Scheme, but still requires 3,705 hectares pending acquisition. The ministry faces challenges including reluctance of some landowners to sell only portions of their farms and demands from willing sellers for the government to purchase entire properties.
Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture and China's General Administration of Customs have signed a Protocol establishing phytosanitary requirements for fresh Namibian table grapes to access the Chinese market, with provisions for orchard registration, pest management, facility approval, and compliance checks.
The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to construct a veterinary cordon fence along the Namibia–South Africa border to safeguard the livestock sector and prevent the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, with contractors invited to bid by 14 July 2026. The fence is intended to control livestock movement across the border and reduce the risk of transboundary animal diseases that could have serious economic implications for Namibia's livestock industry.
The Small Stock Revolving Scheme redistributed 253 sheep (13 rams and 240 ewes) to farmers in Hardap Region during 2025/26, with a further 168 animals planned for 2026/27. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Investment Fund initiative aims to provide vulnerable communal farmers with breeding flocks for sustainable income and food security.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture are conducting spraying operations against locust swarms detected in the Maltahöhe District and other areas of Hardap and Erongo regions, with swarms estimated at 5,000 to 10,000 locusts. Early response is critical to prevent damage to crops and horticultural activities before the locusts become fully airborne.
The Ministry of Agriculture has appointed new members to the Land Reform Advisory Commission, which advises the Minister on acquisition, allocation and administration of commercial agricultural land for land reform purposes. The term of office runs from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029.
The Ministry of Agriculture's Acting Executive Director announced plans to upgrade agricultural centres nationwide into fully operational agricultural training centres by 2027, with preparatory measures underway including staff recruitment, instructor training, and material development. The Tsumis Arid Zone Agricultural Centre, which operates a poultry project with more than 1,000 dual-purpose chickens, is participating in Phase II of the China-FAO-Namibia South-South Cooperation Project and is expected to strengthen farmers' skills through training and mentorship.
Minister of Agriculture Inge Zaamwani has urged the Livestock Support Programme to prioritise cattle distribution to drought-stricken farmers in 2025, particularly in Erongo, Kunene, and //Kharas regions where livestock losses have been severe.
The agriculture ministry has deployed 10 tractors to help farmers in eight Zambezi region villages move harvested crops from flooded fields to higher ground. So far, 14 farmers have been assisted in relocating 57.5 tonnes of crops to safety, with the intervention continuing until mid-April 2026.
Communal farmers associations in Namibia remain underutilised despite their potential to drive employment, food security, and rural development. The article argues that independent auditing, trained administration, market partnerships, revenue diversification, and leveraging the resettlement programme are essential to transform these organisations from subsistence-level operations into engines of rural prosperity.
Bennie Ganuseb is working to establish a banana farm in Kunene's harsh climate, having reduced his plantation from over 500 trees to nearly zero due to water shortages. With support from the IREMA climate resilience project, he received 180 new banana trees and is now seeking funds for a solar-powered water system to revive his farm and supply local schools and communities.
Namibia's Ministry of Agriculture has established the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Support Fund and FMD Task Force to protect the livestock sector against potential outbreaks, with private sector pledges including N$2 million each from Bank Windhoek and FirstRand, and N$3 million annually from the Namibia Agricultural Union. The initiatives will support vaccination campaigns, border biosecurity, veterinary infrastructure, and farmer awareness programmes to safeguard Namibia's N$15 billion livestock industry.
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has outlined interventions to support more than 30 veterinary graduates unable to practise due to unregistered status with the Namibian Veterinary Council, including three attempts at registration exams, temporary registration during preparation, UNAM's eight-week preparatory module (with 2024 fee coverage), and an internship programme facilitated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services.
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has urged farmers, particularly in //Kharas Region, to remain vigilant against Foot-and-Mouth Disease, which is currently affecting South Africa and parts of Botswana. She called on farmers to monitor visitors from affected areas and ensure livestock transport trucks are properly disinfected, while the Ministry reassured that Namibia's animal health systems are prepared to respond to any potential risks.
Namibia has procured equipment, vaccines and materials to combat foot-and-mouth disease, and established mobile emergency stores to respond to suspected outbreaks. The move comes as South Africa and Botswana battle mounting FMD cases, prompting strict border controls and import bans to protect Namibia's status as one of Africa's few FMD-free countries.
Minister of Agriculture Inge Zaamwani has urged ministry staff to eliminate bureaucratic delays, strengthen leadership capabilities, and streamline internal processes to improve service delivery. She outlined the ministry's strategic objectives for 2024–2027, including food security, sustainable natural resource management, and equitable land reform, and emphasized that agriculture is the Eighth Administration's top priority.
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has warned ministries and councillors to settle outstanding municipal debts or face disconnections and sanctions. As of March 2025, local authorities and councils owed the Namibia Water Corporation N$2.4 billion, with the City of Windhoek reporting residents, businesses, and government combined owe the municipality N$1.2 billion.