Food self-sufficiency top priority now

Global challenges have changed the priorities within the agriculture sector despite the sector showing some improvement.The sector has shown signs of recovery, with growth improvements in the third quarter of 2021 and of 4% and 2% for the horticultural sector and livestock sector respectively.Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, however, said that the long-lasting ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic and the recent outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine have changed priorities from relying on trade for food security, to food self-sufficiency.“This policy priority requires much improved productive capacity in agriculture for especially horticultural and grain-producing sectors.”He made these remarks at the Bank Windhoek online agriculture series titled ‘policy as a critical tool to attracting new investment in agriculture.’Schlettwein said the impact of the pandemic and the ongoing conflict have immediate adverse effects, including increasing inflation driven by food and energy prices and higher production input prices, arising from diverse external factors.“Not only do we face a food price crisis, but it may also develop into a food availability crisis for some basic commodities such as wheat if the war in Europe continues for longer.”Agriculture prioritisedThese developments underscore the pivotal role of the agricultural sector as an indispensable source for supporting domestic economic recovery and cushioning national food security against excess volatility arising from these adversities.Schlettwein said in a situation where the public sector is left with no fiscal space allowing for large-scale investments, a recovery of the economy hinges on private investments, domestic and foreign, and the ability to attract such investments in a very competitive environment.“In order to make real, stepwise progress towards food self-sufficiency, and given the imperative for food security, the strategic policy emphasis is now directed at intensive agriculture on the back of agricultural mechanisation and modernisation so as to de-risk the sector from historical over-dependence on rain-fed activity and exposure to erratic climatic conditions.”InterconnectedAccording to the minister this strategic shift underscores the macro-criticality of investment in, and effective stewardship of water resources as indispensable to enabling growth expansion in the agricultural sector and the economy in general.Schlettwein said the nexus between water security and food security is significant in achieving food security and self-sufficiency.“It all starts with water supply security without which socio-economic development is impossible and the assurance for food security is non-existent.”At the national level, investment in affordable and reliable bulk water supply and distribution is critical for industry, households and better sanitation for all, the minister said.

Food self-sufficiency top priority now

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-16

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Food self-sufficiency top priority now

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-16

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