Namibia ready to learn from Ethiopian agriculture

Namibia wants to learn from Ethiopia how it organises its large population of communal farmers to make them more productive, as well as the strategies implemented to ensure farmers have access to adequate services, finance, equipment, marketing and processing infrastructure.This is according to deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda, who said the bulk of farmers in both Namibia and Ethiopia are predominantly smallholder and subsistence farmers who practice mixed crop and livestock farming.However, one of the main differences in the two countries agriculture systems is that Namibia practices both commercial and communal livestock farming, and has a well-developed commercial livestock sub-sector, she said.According to literature, the livestock farming system in Ethiopia seems to be mainly smallholder and communal in nature, the deputy minister added.She was speaking at a meeting with an Ethiopian delegation on a benchmarking visit this week to learn about Namibia’s best agriculture practices, meat products, livestock production and marketing.“This, in itself, presents an opportunity for scientists, technical experts and farmers to share experiences and learn from each other in their specific areas of agriculture and farming expertise.”Ready and willingNamibia, through the agriculture ministry, is hosting the delegation from 24 to 29 October.The group is headed by Dr Fikru Regassa Gari, Ethiopia’s minister for livestock and fisheries.Shiweda said the country is ready and willing to share information with Ethiopia on various farming systems practiced here.She added that Ethiopia produces more varieties and quantities of crops than Namibia and has a larger cattle production - of about 65 million - compared to Namibia’s 2.5 million.“While promoting bilateral cooperation between our two countries, it is also important for us to pursue and explore cooperation avenues and opportunities presented by the South-South Cooperation Framework, and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.”She said these cooperation instruments will not only strengthen joint efforts to develop the agriculture sectors of the two countries, but will also facilitate a contribution towards the attainment of the continental goal of creating ‘the Africa we want’, as well as to honour the commitment of leaving no one behind.Vital roleGari said agriculture plays a vital role in the Ethiopian economy and that country’s poverty reduction efforts.It contributes 30% of gross domestic product, 75% of employment and 80% of earnings, he said.According to him, livestock production is a key component of Ethiopia’s agricultural economy.“The country has about 70 million cattle, 43 million sheep, eight million camels and 57 million poultry.”He said Ethiopia has invested in the construction of 11 export abattoirs, five quarantine facilities and 10 check posts.He, however, added that their meat production remains low due to many factors, among which are traditional livestock production and the high prevalence of trade.

Namibia ready to learn from Ethiopian agriculture

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Namibia ready to learn from Ethiopian agriculture

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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