Government ministry overseeing agriculture, fisheries, water management and land reform; currently implementing a sector transformation strategy targeting 6% annual growth and doubled agriculture GDP contribution by 2030.
News reports
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Informanté
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform raised concern over Namibia's food import dependence
“Staff Reporter Namibia still relies heavily on imports to meet a significant share of the country's food requirements, with nearly all fruit consumed domestically imported during 2025/2026, while more than half of the maize, wheat and pearl millet requirements were also met through imports during the same period.”
Agriculture ministry raises concern over Namibia’s food import dependenceInformanté
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform unveiled Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector 2025/26–2030/31
“Efforts to transform Namibia's agri-food sector by 2030 have received a boost with the unveiling of a new strategy aimed at reducing hunger, improving nutrition and empowering young people and women through agriculture.”
Agriculture strategy aims to cut hunger and create opportunitiesInformanté
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform developed Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS) aiming to double agriculture's GDP contribution by 2030
“THE Government's new Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS) aims to double agriculture's contribution to Namibia's economy by 2030 by driving annual sector growth of at least 6%, expanding local food production, boosting value addition and attracting greater private sector investment.”
New agri-food strategy targets 6% annual growth, aims to double sector’s GDP contribution by 2030Informanté
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform is overseeing water and sanitation services and infrastructure in Namibia.
“Acting Deputy Executive Director for Water Resource Management, Maria Amakali, said Namibia has made substantial progress in improving access to safe drinking water, with the national average standing at 91.4%.”
Namibia leads Africa in urban water access but sanitation gap remainsDeputy Minister of Agriculture Ruthy Masake revealed that Namibia imports nearly all domestically consumed fruit, over half of maize, wheat and pearl millet requirements, and significant shares of vegetables and potatoes during the 2025/2026 season, framing increased domestic production as both a food security and economic priority.
19 September 2026 · Informanté →
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ruthy Masake revealed that Namibia imports nearly all domestically consumed fruit, over half of maize, wheat and pearl millet requirements, and significant shares of vegetables and potatoes during the 2025/2026 season, framing increased domestic production as both a food security and economic priority.
19 September 2026 · Informanté →
At a Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay, stakeholders including the CEO of Namibia's Fisheries Observer Agency called on the Fisheries Ministry to base Total Allowable Catch decisions on scientific data and evidence. An Associate Professor of Fisheries Science noted that several key fish stocks remain below biomass targets with rebuilding efforts falling behind schedule, yet TAC determinations continue to exceed scientific recommendations.
8 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibian fisheries sector stakeholders gathered at the Fisheries Indaba in Walvis Bay to call for the Fisheries Ministry to consider ocean ecosystem data—including changes in biodiversity, ocean chemistry, and acidification—when setting the country's Total Allowable Catch, noting that ecosystem factors are currently overlooked despite policy obligations.
8 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Fisheries Observer Agency CEO says the fishing industry's long-term future depends on expanding observer coverage on the 230 licensed vessels operating in Namibian waters. He noted that with 117 observers available, deployment is inconsistent and weak compliance compromises scientific data critical for stock assessment.
7 September 2026 · Informanté →
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani announced efforts to convert the Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS) into a comprehensive programme with defined priorities and investment packages. The minister aims to produce a draft programming framework within the next few months, with implementation-ready plans expected by October 2026.
28 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia has unveiled a new Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (2025/26–2030/31) aimed at reducing hunger, improving nutrition, and empowering young people and women through agriculture. The strategy targets reducing child stunting from 24% to 12% by 2030 and addresses post-harvest food losses of about 33% through investment in agro-processing, cold storage, and infrastructure.
27 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector aims to drive at least 6% annual sector growth and double agriculture's contribution to GDP by 2030 through increased productivity, value addition, private investment, and reduced food imports. The strategy prioritises commercialisation of agriculture and unlocking the economic potential of Northern Communal Areas, which hold approximately 1.6 million cattle but contribute relatively little to the national agricultural economy.
27 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia has achieved 98% urban water access and a national average of 91.4% access to safe drinking water, among the highest in Africa, but access to basic sanitation stands at only 60%. Government officials cited geography, dispersed rural settlements, and rapid informal settlement growth as obstacles to universal access, alongside deteriorating infrastructure.
26 July 2026 · Informanté →
Heavy rainfall in the Hardap and //Karas regions has caused the Naute Dam to exceed full capacity at 116.9%. NamWater has started controlled water releases to maintain safe operating levels and advised downstream communities to exercise caution.
21 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia is investing in improved, drought-tolerant and high-yielding seeds through research stations in Mannheim and Kashana, supported by a partnership between the government and the African Development Bank. The initiative includes crop diversification with new varieties like soybean and cassava, and distribution of improved seeds to farmers at subsidised prices through the Ministry's Extension Services.
29 March 2026 · Informanté →
SASSCAL's Namibia Programme Coordinator emphasised that Namibia's wetlands—including Etosha Pan, the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin, and river systems—are critical for agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and water supply, and require protection as they face threats in the dry country. He noted that wetland protection is both an environmental and climate adaptation responsibility, and highlighted SASSCAL's WeMAST monitoring initiative while calling for inclusive science and stronger community and women's voices in water governance.
13 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Deputy Executive Director of Agriculture has warned that any foot-and-mouth disease outbreak could jeopardise Namibia's access to lucrative beef markets, emphasising the importance of maintaining the country's FMD-free status recognised since 1997. Regional FMD outbreaks in South Africa and Botswana have elevated the risk profile and drawn international scrutiny to Namibia's disease status.
16 February 2026 · Informanté →
The National Botanical Research Institute, supported by a N$100,000 Nedbank Go Green Fund grant, conducted two expeditions to the Kunene region between July 2022 and May 2023, collecting 228 herbarium specimens to fill gaps in Namibia's botanical record. Several collected species are under review as potential new species, and the work demonstrates the institute's commitment to understanding and conserving Namibia's over 4,500 plant taxa, of which 18% are endemic.
10 February 2026 · New Era →