22 000 tonne silo can't hold large-scale production – parliamentary committee

A parliamentary standing committee has found that Namibia’s silo capacity of approximately 22 000 tonnes is insufficient to support large-scale cereal production, undermining the country’s food security ambitions.

In its 99-page report titled 'Investigation into the Promotion of Food Security in Namibia (2024–2025)', the National Council’s standing committee on agriculture, environment and natural resources paints a detailed picture of systemic constraints affecting green scheme irrigation projects across the country.

The committee found that several green schemes lack proper grain storage, cold rooms and warehouse facilities, leading to post-harvest losses and limiting the country’s ability to build strategic grain reserves.

Without expanded silo infrastructure, Namibia cannot meaningfully scale cereal production or cushion itself against drought cycles and regional supply shocks.

The committee found that irrigation schemes are burdened by high electricity tariffs imposed by the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored), including maximum demand charges that continue even when solar systems are installed.

At the Kalimbeza Rice Project, electricity bills reportedly range from N$90 000 to N$150 000 per month, despite solar investments.

Surplus solar power fed back into the grid is not credited in a way that significantly reduces costs.

The committee warned that without renegotiated tariffs or full solar independence, irrigation viability will remain compromised.

Equipment breakdowns

The report documents mechanical and operational weaknesses across multiple projects. Combine harvesters and centre pivots are insufficient or unreliable, affecting harvest timelines and yields.

At Shadikongoro, the sunflower oil processing machine produces substandard oil and requires urgent technical intervention. In the Kavango regions, the absence of a milling plant forces farmers to transport grain long distances, raising costs and reducing competitiveness.

The committee also expressed concern that small- and medium-scale farmers who intend to graduate into commercial producers remain trapped at subsistence levels.

Limited access to finance, mentorship, markets and timely payments has slowed progression.

Although the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) reportedly paid more than N$37 million to producers in 2025 and maintains strategic grain reserves, farmers raised concerns about payment delays and pricing transparency.

The committee warned that Namibia’s current grain reserves would sustain vulnerable populations for just over a month in the event of a major crisis – a vulnerability it described as unacceptable.

The dissolution of Agribusdev has left operational uncertainty across green schemes.

While Cabinet directed that schemes be leased to private operators, several were instead transferred to the agriculture ministry, creating confusion about governance, accountability and staff conditions.

Some employees have reportedly gone more than a decade without salary adjustments, affecting morale and productivity.

Lessons from Egypt

During a July 2025 visit to Egypt, the committee observed a model where food security is treated as national security. Egypt operates a high-level national food and nutrition coordination structure, chaired by the prime minister, and has invested heavily in drip irrigation, wastewater recycling and coordinated agricultural planning.

The committee suggested Namibia consider similar high-level coordination mechanisms and formally operationalise its existing cooperation agreements with Egypt.

The report ultimately frames food security as a matter of national resilience rather than solely as an agricultural policy issue.

It concludes that without urgent reforms in energy pricing, infrastructure expansion, institutional stability and coordinated governance, Namibia risks continued import dependence and exposure to climate shocks.