Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Romeo Muyunda says despite monitoring mechanisms, some companies continue to land increasing bycatch volumes
“"However, despite these monitoring mechanisms, some companies continue to land increasing bycatch volumes each year," Muyunda says.”
Govt loses N$157.5m from illegal ‘hake’ fishingThe Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda confirmed the ministry had initiated an emergency procurement process to fast-track a veterinary fence
“Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda confirmed to The Namibian last month that the ministry had initiated an emergency procurement process to fast-track a veterinary fence.”
Minister flags N$179m August 26 quoteWindhoek Observer
Romeo Muyunda said there had been misunderstandings regarding the designated trawling zones
“On Sunday, the ministry's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said there had been misunderstandings regarding the designated trawling zones.”
Ministry clears up fishing zone confusionWindhoek Observer
Romeo Muyunda said exclusive subsector areas have not yet been finalised and will only be identified after consultations
“Muyunda said the areas reserved exclusively for the subsector have not yet been finalised and will only be identified after consultations with the fishing industry and other stakeholders.”
Ministry clears up fishing zone confusionInformanté
Romeo Muyunda said areas will be identified after consultations with fishing industry and stakeholders
“The ministry's public relations officer, Romeo Muyunda, said the areas will be identified and announced after consultations with the fishing industry and other relevant stakeholders.”
Exclusive fishing zones for horse mackerel subsector to be identified under revised trawling limitsThe Namibian
Romeo Muyunda says latest statement issued to address confusion around decision application
“Muyunda says the latest statement was issued to address confusion around how the decision will be applied.”
Government limits trawling relaxation to narrow zoneThe Namibian
Romeo Muyunda issued a media statement on Tuesday as Ministry spokesperson
“This was said in a media statement issued on Tuesday by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.”
No foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, says GovtInformanté
Romeo Muyunda explained the objective of Namibia's National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee
“"The objective of Namibia's National Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee (NSPSC) is to serve as a national coordination and advisory platform that ensures compliance with international SPS obligations, protects human, animal and plant health, and facilitates safe trade in agricultural and food products. It provides a structured forum for stakeholders to address SPS issues, harmonise legislation, and strengthen Namibia's participation in regional and multilateral trade systems," explained the ministry's spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda.”
Agriculture ministry inaugurates Sanitary and Phytosanitary CommitteeThe Namibian
Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said there had been a misunderstanding between finance and agriculture ministries
“Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda yesterday said there had indeed been a misunderstanding between the finance and agriculture ministries.”
Equalisation fund for northern cattle ‘not implemented’New Era
Romeo Muyunda said the initiative remains a top priority to address climate variability
“The ministry's spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the initiative remains a top priority and forms part of efforts to address climate variability.”
Push for water security through floodwater harvestingThe Fisheries Ministry is investigating reports of dead fish washed ashore at Henties Bay and has urged the public not to consume them until the cause is determined. Samples have been collected for scientific analysis to establish the underlying cause and extent of the mortalities.
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Fisheries Ministry is investigating reports of dead fish washed ashore at Henties Bay and has urged the public not to consume them until the cause is determined. Samples have been collected for scientific analysis to establish the underlying cause and extent of the mortalities.
3 September 2026 · Informanté →
Dead fish were found offshore and along the coastline at Henties Bay on Wednesday morning. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has collected samples for testing to determine the cause, affected species, and extent of the deaths, while advising the public not to consume the dead fish.
3 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Kavango East governor Julius Hambyuka says government-run green schemes in the region are showing signs of improved production, with some now fully operational, though several still lack enough equipment and farming implements. The region's six green schemes currently receive central funding, and the Ministry of Agriculture acknowledges equipment shortages due to budget constraints and is prioritising purchasing more supplies.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
20 August 2026 · Informanté →
The government has cancelled its agreement with US-based 6th Grain Corporation for an AI and satellite imagery-driven crop monitoring system. The agriculture ministry said the review found the agreement did not meet required legal and procedural requirements.
19 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has intensified a nationwide campaign to remove illegal fences erected on communal land, with operations underway in multiple regions since 2025. Since the start of 2025, twelve illegal fences covering approximately 6,914 hectares have been removed across Kavango East, Kavango West, and Omaheke regions, with further removals expected in Oshikoto and other communal areas.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has admitted that 912 beneficiaries under the Government Employment Redress Programme are not actively employed, out of 2,255 total beneficiaries, following criticism from the Institute for Public Policy Research that the programme has failed to deliver meaningful employment for fisheries workers affected by the Fishrot corruption scandal.
1 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A N$39 million contract awarded to US agricultural technology company 6th Grain to implement an artificial intelligence-driven crop monitoring system for Namibia has sparked public debate over the procurement process and how the agreement was communicated, with the announcement made first by the US Embassy rather than the Namibian government.
30 July 2026 · New Era →
The International University of Management's Institute of Water Resource Management says it can help Namibia address water management challenges and integrate knowledge-sharing as the country prepares to host the 2028 World Basin Summit of the International Network Basins Organisation.
29 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
14 July 2026 · Informanté →
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.
10 July 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia will host the 2028 International Network of Basin Organizations World Basin Summit in Windhoek, a selection that recognises the country's leadership in sustainable water management and positions it at the centre of international discussions on water security and climate resilience.
6 July 2026 · Informanté →
The agriculture ministry spokesperson said that the ministry does not decide which schools receive boreholes; that selection rests with the education ministry, which funds the programme while agriculture provides technical support during implementation.
6 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform denied reports claiming it deemed removal of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (Red Line) impossible, stating that gradual removal aligned with the Second National Land Conference resolution remains official policy, supported by investments in veterinary infrastructure and ongoing reviews of policy frameworks.
27 June 2026 · Informanté →
Fisheries Minister Inge Zaamwani met with UN Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen to discuss Namibia's environmental challenges and marine conservation goals. Namibia currently has approximately 1.7 per cent marine protection coverage and aims to reach 11 to 12 per cent by 2030, with five marine protected areas already declared and two further areas planned.
24 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Fisheries has allocated a portion of the horse mackerel quota to Etosha Fishing Corporation. The ministry's spokesperson said the allocation, which followed an employee protest over lack of quota allocations, was not a result of the demonstration but part of the Government's long-standing intervention to support employment and economic activity linked to the former pilchard sector.
24 June 2026 · Informanté →
The agriculture ministry is transforming the 140-hectare Ekoka brownfield in Ohangwena into an irrigated green scheme to boost food security. Currently at an initial stage with trial crops planted and four boreholes drilled, the project is transitioning from rain-fed to irrigation-based farming while feasibility studies on water and soil quality are underway.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
29 May 2026 · Informanté →
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.
26 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
22 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
21 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
12 May 2026 · New Era →
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.
11 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
10 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
6 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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.
4 May 2026 · Informanté →
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.
3 May 2026 · The Namibian →