Ministry of AgricultureimplementedIREMA project in conjunction with other organizations
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“This is a five-year project funded by the Green Climate Fund through the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) and implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture.”
Ministry of Agricultureofficially launchedthe Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund and the FMD Task Force
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“THE Ministry of Agriculture has officially launched the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Support Fund and the FMD Task Force to safeguard Namibia's livestock sector against a potential FMD outbreak.”
Ministry of Agriculturehas implementedmeasures to support unregistered veterinary graduates
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“THE Minister of Agriculture, Inge Zaamwani, has acknowledged the challenges faced by veterinary graduates who are unable to practise due to their unregistered status with the Namibian Veterinary Council, but emphasised that the ministry has implemented measures to support them.”
Ministry of Agriculturehas animal health systems that areprepared and capable of responding effectively to potential FMD risks
Source
“While vigilance remains essential, she reassured farmers that Namibia's animal health systems are prepared and capable of responding effectively to any potential risks.”
Government agencies, led by the Roads Authority and Ministry of Agriculturerecently met withborder-post stakeholders to inspect disinfection drive-through wash bays
Source
“Government agencies, led by the Roads Authority and Ministry of Agriculture, recently met with all border-post stakeholders, including immigration, to inspect the construction of disinfection drive-through wash bays at Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei for the control of FMD.”
Ministry of Agriculturehas hadan Annual Staff Address at which strategic objectives were outlined
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“The minister made these remarks at the Ministry's Annual Staff Address, during which she outlined the ministry's strategic objectives and key performance indicators.”
Ministry of Agriculturerefused registration ofStimBlue+, a fully organic seaweed extract product
Source
“Kelp Blue's proudly Namibian product, StimBlue+, a fully organic seaweed extract that significantly boosts crop yields and improves soil health, approved for use and distribution in 69 jurisdictions globally, was refused registration by the Ministry of Agriculture in January 2025 after four years of highly frustrating and inefficient interaction on the subject.”
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.