Agri-food sector ready for transformation

As part of the agri-food sector strategy to transform and integrate small-scale farmers, cooperatives, women and youth groups into the mainstream of the agri-food sector business, the agriculture ministry will construct small-scale agro-processing facilities in all 14 regions.These facilities will be equipped with agro-processing machinery and equipment and will be rented out to target beneficiaries at affordable rates. This initiative stems from government’s responsibility and commitment towards inclusive growth, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein explained. Schlettwein said this at the launch of the Strategy for the Agri-Food Sector (STATS) and signing of Namibia’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development (CAADP) Compact last week.Schlettwein’s speech was delivered on his behalf by National Planning Commission director general Obeth Kandjoze.Development goalsSchlettwein explained that STATS is a vehicle for the implementation of key development priorities within the agri-food sector.“The development of this strategy is informed by the African Union’s flagship programme, the CAADP, which came as a result of the Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security that was signed by the African Union Heads of State and governments in 2003."Schlettwein said CAADP was further amplified and strengthened in 2014, when the AU adopted a second Declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods, known as the Malabo Declaratio&#039;, running from 2014 to 2025.He said all AU member states are required to develop strategies aimed at achieving key CAADP targets.National strategiesThese targets include allocating at least 10% of public expenditure to agriculture and rural development, with the goal of achieving a 6% annual agricultural growth rate; creating job opportunities for at least 30% of youth through agricultural value chains and tripling intra-African trade in agricultural commodities and services.Shlettwein further noted that Namibia, along with other African Union member states, has committed to allocating 10% of its annual national budget to agriculture as a priority sector to uplift livelihoods.“To give effect to our commitment for the agri-food sector, stakeholders are encouraged through this strategy to collaborate and pool resources to boost investment and enhance sector performance.”Achieving this requires integrated planning, joint and streamlined implementation and monitoring and evaluation, he said. He said Namibia has been consistent in reporting on the implementation of the Malabo Declaration having reported on all four occasions since 2017 through CAADP biennial reviews.Positive strides The minister said Namibia has fallen short of its targets over the years, with only one instance in 2017 when the country met its goals, achieving an overall score of 4.11, which surpassed the benchmark of 3.94.“Namibia’s main challenges were shortfalls in meeting critical commitments such as enhancing investment finance in agriculture; ending hunger and enhancing resilience of livelihoods and production systems to climate variability and other related risks.”He added that, despite these setbacks, Namibia has made positive strides in areas like climate resilience and social safety nets.“This means that while there were broader challenges and gaps in other aspects, Namibia made notable strides in improving its ability to cope with and adapt to climate-related impacts and improving the lives of vulnerable families and individuals experiencing poverty and destitution.”The Malabo Declaration will conclude in January 2025.

Agri-food sector ready for transformation

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-08

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Agri-food sector ready for transformation

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-08

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