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Namibian Agriculture Needs More Resources’ – Calle Schlettwein

‘Namibian agriculture needs more resources’ – Calle Schlettwein

By Annelie Coleman | 5 November 2024 | 8:20 pm

Calle Schlettwein, Namibia’s Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, recently called for agriculture to be recognised as a national priority and for resources to be allocated accordingly.

The Namibian quoted Schlettwein as saying “the agriculture sector has the ability to induce inclusion and social progression through boosting national food security and food self-sufficiency by utilising increased agricultural modernisation, productivity and production.”

Speaking at the recent Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo, Schlettwein said the sector held high potential in terms of job creation, poverty reduction, as well as erosion of income inequalities.

“At 2,3% of total non-interest expenditure, and about 0,7% of GDP in 2024/25, budgetary allocation to agriculture falls short of recognising it as a high national priority, a matter which must urgently be aligned,” Schlettwein said.

Direct employment in the Namibian agriculture sector is estimated at approximately 20%. Agriculture is the single most important sector in Namibia in terms of job content with fewer skills required.

“Bouts of volatility in growth rates, coupled with the trade-related impacts of global geopolitical tensions of our times, have now warranted a policy shift from overreliance on rainfed agriculture to intensive agriculture, thus derisking the sector from climate change, among others,” Schlettwein said.

Primary policymakers are therefore, according to Schlettwein, required to successfully utilise the sector with investment in water resource development, distribution infrastructure and

sanitation in order to enable the transition from rainfed agriculture to intensive and climate-smart agriculture.

Investments in primary, logistical and supportive infrastructure are other requirements to address supply-side challenges and product quality considerations.

The challenges range from abattoirs, processing plants and feedlots in the livestock sector, to grain and cold storage infrastructure for fresh food, and marketing hubs and IT infrastructure in the agronomic sector.

“We need secure, affordable and reliable power provision. Power and water availability and affordability are key input factors for the sector’s future,” he said.