Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
June 2026
The Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyundasaysquota holders may enter commercial arrangements with third parties to use allocated quotas
Source
“These arrangements are therefore regarded as private business agreements between the quota holder and the third party," ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says.”
Romeo Muyundarevealedswarms have estimated population of 5,000 to 10,000 locusts
Source
“The Ministry of Agriculture's spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, revealed that the swarms observed have an estimated population of between 5 000 and 10 000 locusts.”
Romeo Muyundasayslocust activity observed from Gobabeb Research Centre extending over 50km
Source
“"In the Erongo region, locust activity has been observed from the Gobabeb Research Centre along the Kuiseb River, extending over more than 50k within the Namib-Naukluft Park across both the Erongo and Hardap regions," ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says.”
Romeo Muyundawarnslocusts could spread into crop-producing areas if outbreak not contained
Source
“He warns that if the outbreak is not contained, the locusts could spread into crop-producing areas and damage horticulture projects and farming activities.”
Romeo Muyundasaidfarm falls within expanded boundaries of Windhoek local authority area
Source
“the farm falls within the expanded boundaries of the Windhoek local authority area, the ministry's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said in a statement on Friday.”
Romeo Muyundaacknowledgedearlier concerns regarding applicability of Agricultural Land Reform Act were based on information available at the time
Source
“"The ministry acknowledges that the earlier concerns raised regarding the applicability of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act were based on information available at the time," said Muyunda.”
Romeo Muyundacautionedthat the era of illegally exploiting Namibia's marine resources has ended
Source
“Muyunda, in a media statement on Thursday, cautioned that the era of illegally exploiting Namibia's marine resources has ended, noting that the government is committed to safeguarding the country's fisheries resources and ensuring their sustainable use for current and future generations.”
Fisheries ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyundacharacterized increasing bycatch asa major concern due to pilchard being under moratorium
Source
“"A major concern as it is observed mainly in the total allowable catch of regulated species such hake, horse mackerel and pilchard, particularly due to the fact that pilchard is under moratorium," fisheries ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda says.”
Namibia's fisheries ministry says quota holders may enter private commercial agreements with third parties to use allocated quotas, a practice it characterizes as private business arrangements. The statement follows a disputed agreement between a DRC-linked entity and Namibian fishing companies over horse mackerel quota.
Why it matters
Fisheries ministry's defence of private quota deals addresses ongoing transparency questions about how Namibia's key fishing resource is managed.
Namibia's fisheries ministry says quota holders may enter private commercial agreements with third parties to use allocated quotas, a practice it characterizes as private business arrangements. The statement follows a disputed agreement between a DRC-linked entity and Namibian fishing companies over horse mackerel quota.
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.
A desert locust outbreak has been detected in parts of Erongo and Hardap, with swarms destroying grazing and vegetation across at least 15 farms covering 300–400 square kilometres. The Ministry of Agriculture says the locusts are in the flying stage, making control difficult, and has deployed vehicle-mounted sprayers to contain the outbreak.
Progress Farming Co. faces possible charges for advertising the auctioning of Farm Neu Progress No. 506 in Khomas without the Ministry of Agriculture's approval. The ministry says the advertisement falsely claimed the farm is open to international buyers without government approval, contradicting Namibian agricultural land transaction laws.
The Ministry of Agriculture has clarified that farm Neu Progress in the Khomas region lies within expanded Windhoek local authority boundaries established in 2011, meaning the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act of 1995 does not apply to it, and provisions including the government's right of first refusal and ministerial consent for foreign ownership are not applicable.
The Namibian Navy apprehended the foreign vessel Fu Yuan Yu 9878 near the Angolan border for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, with the vessel fully loaded with fish and its Automatic Identification System disabled. The 22-member crew, comprising four Chinese and 18 Angolan nationals, was detained, and a Ministry spokesperson stated the government is committed to protecting Namibia's fisheries resources and enforcing its regulations.
The Global Water Partnership Organisation has relocated its headquarters from Sweden to Windhoek, with operations expected to commence on 23 May following a headquarters agreement signed with the Namibian government. The GWPO chief executive described the move as historic, marking the first time a global intergovernmental water organisation will be headquartered in the Global South.
Pilchard bycatch has risen sharply from 608 tonnes in 2020 to more than 11,000 tonnes in both 2024 and 2025, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform warning that increasing bycatch could threaten marine biodiversity and fish stocks if not properly managed.
The government may have lost N$157.5 million from 17,500 tonnes of hake caught as bycatch by 15 horse mackerel freezer trawlers in 2025. The Ministry of Agriculture has admitted that current penalties may not be stopping repeat offenders, with hake bycatch in the horse mackerel fishery increasing sharply from 3,203 tonnes in 2020 to 17,500 tonnes in 2025.
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has questioned a N$179 million quotation from August 26 Construction for a 400-kilometre border fence project along the Namibia-South Africa border aimed at containing foot-and-mouth disease, citing cost concerns and procurement issues.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has clarified that a temporary relaxation of trawling restrictions for wet-landed horse mackerel applies only between latitudes 22° South and 24° South, allowing trawling in waters shallower than 200 meters down to 150 meters from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. The ministry said exclusive offshore areas for the subsector south of latitude 22° South have not yet been finalised and will be identified after consultations with the fishing industry.
Namibia's Cabinet has approved a temporary 12-month change allowing wet-landed horse mackerel trawling within shallower waters (down to 150 metres depth) between latitudes 22°S and 24°S, effective May 2026. The Ministry of Fisheries will identify exclusive fishing zones for the subsector after consulting the industry and stakeholders.
The Ministry of Fisheries has restricted a temporary relaxation of trawling in waters shallower than the 200-metre isobath to a defined zone between latitudes 22°S and 24°S, applying only to the wet-landed horse mackerel subsector. The clarification was issued to address confusion about how Cabinet's decision would be applied, with further zone specifications and consultations to follow.
The agriculture ministry clarified that confusion over hand, foot and mouth disease reported at Windhoek Gymnasium does not indicate a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in livestock. The ministry explained the two diseases are distinct: hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral illness affecting humans, while foot-and-mouth disease affects cloven-hoofed animals.
The government will turn the 200-metre isobath trawling prohibition into law by September. Cabinet's recent decision to allow limited fishing in the zone is temporary and will end in 2027.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has officially inaugurated the National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee to regulate Namibia's food safety, animal and plant health measures and ensure compliance with international standards. The three-year committee will coordinate science-based measures, facilitate safe trade in agricultural and food products, and strengthen Namibia's participation in regional and multilateral trade systems.
The agriculture ministry created a price equalisation fund approved by Cabinet in 2024 to help livestock producers north of the veterinary cordon fence, but the Namibia National Farmers Union says implementation has stalled. A ministry spokesperson confirmed a misunderstanding between finance and agriculture ministries diverted initial funding, though N$50 million has been allocated in the 2026/27 budget.
Namibia's agriculture ministry is implementing floodwater and rainwater harvesting across the country to improve water security and build climate resilience against recurring droughts and floods. Six earth dams have been completed so far out of a target of 17, with additional dams finished in various regions last year.
The Ministry of Agriculture has begun moving salvageable crops from flood-affected farmers in Zambezi region to higher ground, having already helped 14 farmers relocate their harvests across multiple areas and deployed 10 tractors. The ministry, which is also providing water tanks and sanitation facilities to relocation centres, plans to continue the operation until 17 April and will then review next steps.
The agriculture ministry has denied allegations of importing bees from South Africa to boost blueberry harvests, stating that the last application was rejected in 2024 due to South Africa's inability to provide health assurances. The rejection comes amid concerns from local beekeepers and the Namibian Beekeeping Association about threats to native bees and the lack of adequate quarantine systems.
Seasonal flooding has disrupted the Ministry of Agriculture's spraying campaign against a locust outbreak in the Zambezi region that has threatened crop fields and livelihoods since January. By early March, the ministry had sprayed 7,124 hectares of an identified 32,896 hectares using ground teams and drones before floods brought operations to a halt.
The Ministry of Agriculture says seasonal floods in the Zambezi region have halted spraying efforts against locusts that have infested hundreds of crop fields and grazing areas since January. So far, 7,124 of 32,896 hectares of infested areas have been sprayed, and spraying is expected to resume once floodwater subsides.
Tilapia fingerling production at Namibia's Hardap Inland Aquaculture Centre has reached about 80% of its annual target despite operational constraints including incomplete infrastructure and limited holding space. The Ministry of Agriculture says it is committed to rehabilitating infrastructure and improving production levels by December this year.
Namibia's water ministry has drilled 94 new boreholes, installed 137 water supply units across all regions, and constructed 55 short pipelines with 2,886 private connections, improving water access in underserved rural communities. The ministry also rehabilitated sanitation facilities and increased access to basic sanitation services to 36.2% nationwide, with rural safe drinking water access rising from 83.5% to 84.9%.
About 90 permanent employees of Gendev Fishing Group were sent home last week, with no clarity on their status. The move follows the company's earlier notification of a contemplated retrenchment of 489 workers, attributed to sustained financial losses, reduced revenue, and an inadequate quota allocation of 3,351 metric tonnes against the company's 45,000-tonne annual capacity.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has referred compensation claims from 252 former Samherji employees to the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, noting that affected workers were already considered under a government redress programme aimed at reintegrating them into the fishing industry following the company's 2019–2020 closure. Some former employees argue that placement at other companies does not fully address their financial losses.
The Ministry of Agriculture has established a foot-and-mouth disease control area in the ||Kharas region as a precautionary measure to prevent disease spread from neighbouring countries and safeguard Namibia's FMD-free status and international export market access. The declaration does not indicate an outbreak in Namibia.
The government is facilitating the re-employment of 222 former Walu Fishing workers through a redress programme involving four companies following a labour dispute. Walu Fishing lost its 2026 fishing quota after disputes with workers and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform.
The ministers of agriculture and labour met with four fishing companies to discuss reintegrating 222 workers who lost jobs at Walu Fishing through the Government Employment Redress Programme. Each participating company will receive an employment quota aligned with their workforce size, and the government emphasized its commitment to fair labour practices and zero tolerance for exploitation.