Namibian Agronomic Board — government agency regulating domestic crop production and market access, currently investigating fertiliser-blending plant and managing fruit/crop value chain schemes.
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October 2026
Windhoek Observer
The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB)receivedan unqualified audit opinion for the financial year ended 31 March 2026
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“The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) received an unqualified audit opinion for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, while its latest annual report shows that imports accounted for 62% of regulated agronomic market volumes.”
Namibian Agronomic Boardreported in crop value analysisNamibia experiences onion oversupply May-December and shortage January-April
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“Namibia experiences an oversupply of locally produced onions from May to December, followed by a shortage from January to April, the Namibian Agronomic Board's (NAB) crop value c...”
Namibian Agronomic Boardis investigating the possibility of establishinga fertiliser-blending plant in Namibia
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“The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) is investigating the possibility of establishing a fertiliser-blending plant in Namibia to reduce production costs for farmers and support local crop production.”
The Namibian Agronomic Boardwill continue to be worked with by governmentto increase production and strengthen agricultural value chains
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“She said the government would continue working with the Namibian Agronomic Board and other stakeholders to increase production and strengthen agricultural value chains.”
The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB)has issuedits cross-border import notice for August
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“The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has issued its cross-border import notice for August, prohibiting imports of five crops to protect local producers.”
The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB)prohibitedimports of five crops to protect local producers
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“The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has issued its cross-border import notice for August, prohibiting imports of five crops to protect local producers.”
Namibian Agronomic Boardis facingseveral difficulties as it expands the programme
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“Researchers said Namibia's partnership with GLOBALG.A.P. shows progress but warned that the Namibian Agronomic Board is facing several difficulties as it expands the programme.”
The Namibian Agronomic Board received an unqualified audit opinion for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, but missed its primary market share target of 44%, achieving 32% instead, as imports valued at N$689 million accounted for 62% of regulated market volumes. The board recorded total revenue of N$218.4 million and a net surplus of N$90.3 million, down from N$152.3 million the previous year.
The Namibian Agronomic Board received an unqualified audit opinion for the financial year ended 31 March 2026, but missed its primary market share target of 44%, achieving 32% instead, as imports valued at N$689 million accounted for 62% of regulated market volumes. The board recorded total revenue of N$218.4 million and a net surplus of N$90.3 million, down from N$152.3 million the previous year.
The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that insuring small stock in a single region could cost about N$45 million, not including cattle or crop production. The government is exploring insurance options for livestock and crop farmers but must determine affordability and scheme structure to reach farmers nationwide.
Namibia experiences an oversupply of locally produced onions from May to December, followed by a shortage from January to April, according to the Namibian Agronomic Board.
The Namibian Agronomic Board is investigating the possibility of establishing a fertiliser-blending plant in Namibia to reduce farmers' production costs and support local crop production, as part of its crop value chain development strategy for 2025 to 2030, which has received an initial N$250 million allocation.
Namibia has been warned of an increasingly severe El Niño forecast for the 2026/27 rainy season, with the Namibia Meteorological Service predicting below-normal rainfall and above-average temperatures across much of the country, with some areas potentially receiving only 70% to 90% of their long-term average rainfall. The Food and Agriculture Organisation has called for early action including preparing seed, livestock feed and financing before conditions deteriorate.
During the 2025/26 season, Namibia imported approximately 64% of maize requirements, 87% of wheat, 64% of pearl millet, 46% of vegetables, and 96% of fruit consumed domestically, according to the agriculture minister. The minister called increasing domestic production both a food security priority and an economic opportunity.
Small-scale farmers face challenges accessing formal markets for horticultural produce, which limits expansion and sustainability. The article outlines key strategies for farmers to secure formal market off-take agreements, including measuring production area, registering with the Namibian Agronomic Board, and understanding yield potential.
Namibia's plan to require GLOBALG.A.P. certification for all horticultural exports by 2027 faces financial, operational, and structural challenges, including the Namibian Agronomic Board's dual role as trainer and regulator, high costs of training and farm assessments, and expensive laboratory testing due to low volumes.
The Namibian Agronomic Board is calling for entries from registered white maize and mahangu producers across all production zones for the 2026 National Agronomy and Horticulture Awards, with a deadline of 10 June. Farmers can compete in categories including outstanding and emerging producer of the year for each crop, as well as special awards for youth participation and farming innovation.
The Namibian Agronomic Board, Avagro, and the Ministry of Agriculture have achieved a first commercial banana harvest at Etunda as Namibia aims to reduce reliance on imported bananas, which the country consumes around 7,000 tonnes of annually.
The Namibian Agronomic Board has held its first harvest demonstration for an Etunda banana research project in the Omusati region, which began plantations in January last year. The project aims to assess whether the region is suitable for large-scale banana production, as Namibia currently imports around 7,000 metric tonnes of bananas annually.
The Namibian Agronomic Board has launched the Fruit Value Chain Development Scheme to reduce reliance on imported fruit, offering a 30% subsidy on planting materials and inputs alongside training and mentorship to farmers. The scheme aims to address poor genetics and limited technical knowledge, with Namibia currently importing more than 97% of its fruit.
Namibia is rolling out a new Fruit Value Chain Development Scheme to reduce reliance on imported fruit by providing subsidies, training, and market access to local farmers. The Namibian Agronomic Board identified barriers including poor planting materials, limited skills, and high production costs, and the scheme aims to address these through certified planting materials, farmer training, mentorship, and structured market linkages.
The Namibian Agronomic Board pledged fruit tree seedlings worth N$100,000 to support Kavango West's 'Tapeka, Lima, Tulye' project, which aims to provide each household in the region with at least two fruit trees to boost food security and nutrition. The initiative combines household distribution with community and school-based planting to build agricultural skills.
The Etunda irrigation scheme in Omusati region anticipates harvesting about 3,728 tonnes of maize from 466 hectares at an expected yield of eight tonnes per hectare. The scheme supports small-scale and medium-scale farmers alongside its own production, mills 40% of the maize harvest locally, and is also planting winter maize, onions, and barley for livestock fodder.
Employees of the Namibian Agronomic Board, represented by the Public Service Union of Namibia, have submitted a petition alleging the board violated agreements to include them in negotiations on a job evaluation and grading exercise, approving final reports without worker input. The workers cite breaches of collective bargaining principles under the Labour Act and International Labour Organization Convention, and have given the board 48 hours to respond.
An opinion piece argues that organisational culture and strategy must work together, with international standards providing structure to translate vision into practice. The author contends that leaders must embed ethics, sustainability and stakeholder engagement into both their culture and strategic plans to build resilient organisations.
The Namibia Revenue Agency and key state institutions have signed the Inter-Agency Standard Operations Framework for Coordinated Border Management to improve coordination at Namibia's borders, reduce delays in goods movement, and strengthen infrastructure and security. NamRA Commissioner Sam Shivute emphasised the need for effective implementation of initiatives like one-stop border posts and coordinated controls to support economic growth.
IPC member of parliament Imms Nashinge has called for an independent corruption investigation into the Namibian Agronomic Board following whistleblower allegations of procurement bypasses, unfair salary hikes, and preferential treatment of connected individuals. Nashinge questioned the agriculture minister in parliament about alleged governance failures and asked whether the ministry would commit to a transparent investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission and auditor general.