Namibia faces 136 700-tonne wheat shortfall, Amupanda says

Namibia produces only about 3 300 tonnes of wheat annually, far short of the more than 140 000 tonnes demanded, leaving a shortfall of roughly 136 700 tonnes, AR leader Dr Job Amupanda told lawmakers recently.

Speaking during debate on the 2026/27 national budget, Amupanda said the figures highlight Namibia’s heavy reliance on imported grains.

Government data shows that 617 hectares of wheat were planted to produce about 3 300 tonnes, accounting for just 2% of the country’s annual wheat requirements.

Rice production shows a similar gap.

About 670 hectares of rice were planted to produce around 800 tonnes, while national consumption is approaching 30 000 tonnes per year, the AR leader said.

Amupanda said the numbers demonstrate how far Namibia remains from achieving food self-sufficiency.

He also pointed to slow progress in expanding agricultural production under government’s land utilisation plans.

During her state of the nation address, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that 130 000 hectares would be placed under productive land use.

However, budget figures show that only 1 290 hectares were actually planted, representing 0.99% of the target.

Despite the criticism, Amupanda highlighted the Namibia Correctional Service as an example of a government institution successfully producing food.

Operating across about 5 400 hectares, the correctional service produces maize and wheat used to feed inmates in correctional facilities and detainees in police holding cells across the country.

At the Divundu agricultural centre, Amupanda said production has reached levels where grain risks spoilage due to a lack of storage facilities.

Secondary industries

Beyond agriculture, Amupanda welcomed a proposed regulation requiring banking institutions and controlling companies to ensure that 70% of their boards and executive positions are held by Namibians, describing it as a step toward increasing local participation in key sectors.

He also raised concerns about the slow growth of secondary industries, noting that the sector declined from 3% growth in 2024 to 0.8% in 2025, warning that the manufacturing sector remains critical for economic expansion.

Amupanda further criticised inconsistencies in government spending figures, pointing out that operational expenditure is projected to reach N$81.3 billion in the 2026/27 financial year, up from N$80.6 billion, despite claims that N$2.3 billion in savings had been achieved through the elimination of waste.

He also questioned Namibia’s alignment with the OECD/G20 base erosion and profit shifting action 12 framework, arguing that the country should instead rely on the African Union framework on illicit financial flows, which calls for stronger tax administration, the establishment of transfer pricing units, review of tax treaties and limits on tax holidays.

Sector-specific reviews

Amupanda criticised plans to amend petroleum income tax legislation, saying the proposal confirms concerns about the speed at which the Petroleum Amendment Bill was introduced in parliament.

He objected to proposals to amend value-added tax legislation to include the creative industry, arguing that the sector remains underdeveloped and requires support rather than taxation.

On broader budget allocation, Amupanda said funding for the social sector should not be treated as an achievement, as it is expected in a developing country.

“The question should be what exactly we are funding,” he said, adding that issues such as veteran support payments should eventually be resolved permanently rather than funded indefinitely.

Amupanda said Namibia must move beyond announcements and symbolic achievements toward measurable production gains, particularly in agriculture and industry, if the country is to achieve the budget’s stated goals of people, productivity and prudence.