N$12.54m support programme for small-scale farmers
Tools for sustainable horticulture development
Jacques du Toit
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has announced the rollout of the Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme for the 2025/26 financial year, with a total budget allocation of N$12.54 million aimed at transforming the livelihoods of 1 000 small-scale horticulture producers across all 14 regions.
The comprehensive programme represents a significant government investment in food security and climate resilience, offering substantial subsidies on essential farming inputs and equipment to producers cultivating between 0.01 and 1 ha of land.
Comprehensive support package
The programme features five major subsidy categories designed to address the entire value chain of horticulture production. Farmers can access government support covering 50% to 65% of costs for seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation equipment and land preparation services.
Under the seed subsidy component, the government will provide 50% support for various crop types, with maximum subsidies ranging from N$500 for cereal and legume seeds to N$12 500 for grafted fruit trees and bananas. Vegetable seeds, seedlings and potato tubers are also covered.
Fertiliser support stands at 60% of costs, with producers able to access up to eight 50kg bags of any fertiliser type, along with growth media and plant bio-stimulants. The programme recognises that soil fertility is fundamental to successful horticulture production and producers can consult Agricultural Development Centres for tailored advice on fertiliser requirements.
Advanced irrigation and equipment support
Perhaps most significantly, the programme offers a 65% subsidy on irrigation materials and shade nets, with comprehensive packages available worth up to N$202 900 per household. This includes shade net installations valued at up to N$57 900, essential garden tools worth N$4 350, and sophisticated value-addition equipment such as vegetable dehydrators and vacuum sealers.
The irrigation component covers everything from basic drip systems and sprinklers to advanced centrifugal pumps and water storage facilities capable of holding up to 30 000 litres. Producers can also access subsidised submersible solar-electric pumps, reflecting the programme’s commitment to sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.
For land preparation, the government will subsidise mechanised tillage services through private contractors at N$500 per hectare or N$250 per half hectare, removing a significant barrier for small-scale producers who lack access to mechanisation.
Regional distribution and implementation
The N$12.54 million budget comprises N$10.9 million in direct subsidies and N$1.64 million for capacity-building initiatives. Funding will be distributed across all regions, with allocations ranging from N$500 000 for the Omaheke Region to N$1.3 million for the Omusati Region, ensuring equitable access to support nationwide.
The Directorate of Agricultural Production Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES) will oversee implementation in partnership with Regional Councils, which will manage fund transfers, create awareness, register eligible farmers, and coordinate with retailers and service providers.
To qualify for the programme, applicants must be Namibian citizens and verified vegetable producers registered with MAFWLR Agricultural Technicians or the Namibia Agronomic Board. Critically, producers must have access to reliable water sources such as boreholes, dams, or rivers – community water points do not qualify.
The programme prioritises women and youth, as well as full-time horticulture producers. Both individual farmers and existing producer groups, associations, and cooperatives can apply, though schools and churches are excluded from group applications.
Beneficiaries can access subsidies on agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides, once yearly. However, the larger irrigation and water pump packages can be obtained once or procured gradually as needed, providing flexibility for producers to build their operations sustainably.
How to participate
Prospective beneficiaries should obtain quotations from suppliers of their choice in Namibia and submit them to their respective Regional Councils. DAPEES reserves the right to verify and reject quotations from suspicious suppliers before issuing subsidy vouchers. Retailers will then redeem the balance with Regional Councils after producers receive their subsidised inputs.
For more information and registration, farmers can contact their regional focal persons listed in the programme documentation or reach the Windhoek head office through Programme Coordinators James Nzehengwa (061 208 7312) or Benita Elago (061 208 7588).
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The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has announced the rollout of the Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme for the 2025/26 financial year, with a total budget allocation of N$12.54 million aimed at transforming the livelihoods of 1 000 small-scale horticulture producers across all 14 regions.
The comprehensive programme represents a significant government investment in food security and climate resilience, offering substantial subsidies on essential farming inputs and equipment to producers cultivating between 0.01 and 1 ha of land.
Comprehensive support package
The programme features five major subsidy categories designed to address the entire value chain of horticulture production. Farmers can access government support covering 50% to 65% of costs for seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, irrigation equipment and land preparation services.
Under the seed subsidy component, the government will provide 50% support for various crop types, with maximum subsidies ranging from N$500 for cereal and legume seeds to N$12 500 for grafted fruit trees and bananas. Vegetable seeds, seedlings and potato tubers are also covered.
Fertiliser support stands at 60% of costs, with producers able to access up to eight 50kg bags of any fertiliser type, along with growth media and plant bio-stimulants. The programme recognises that soil fertility is fundamental to successful horticulture production and producers can consult Agricultural Development Centres for tailored advice on fertiliser requirements.
Advanced irrigation and equipment support
Perhaps most significantly, the programme offers a 65% subsidy on irrigation materials and shade nets, with comprehensive packages available worth up to N$202 900 per household. This includes shade net installations valued at up to N$57 900, essential garden tools worth N$4 350, and sophisticated value-addition equipment such as vegetable dehydrators and vacuum sealers.
The irrigation component covers everything from basic drip systems and sprinklers to advanced centrifugal pumps and water storage facilities capable of holding up to 30 000 litres. Producers can also access subsidised submersible solar-electric pumps, reflecting the programme’s commitment to sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.
For land preparation, the government will subsidise mechanised tillage services through private contractors at N$500 per hectare or N$250 per half hectare, removing a significant barrier for small-scale producers who lack access to mechanisation.
Regional distribution and implementation
The N$12.54 million budget comprises N$10.9 million in direct subsidies and N$1.64 million for capacity-building initiatives. Funding will be distributed across all regions, with allocations ranging from N$500 000 for the Omaheke Region to N$1.3 million for the Omusati Region, ensuring equitable access to support nationwide.
The Directorate of Agricultural Production Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES) will oversee implementation in partnership with Regional Councils, which will manage fund transfers, create awareness, register eligible farmers, and coordinate with retailers and service providers.
To qualify for the programme, applicants must be Namibian citizens and verified vegetable producers registered with MAFWLR Agricultural Technicians or the Namibia Agronomic Board. Critically, producers must have access to reliable water sources such as boreholes, dams, or rivers – community water points do not qualify.
The programme prioritises women and youth, as well as full-time horticulture producers. Both individual farmers and existing producer groups, associations, and cooperatives can apply, though schools and churches are excluded from group applications.
Beneficiaries can access subsidies on agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides, once yearly. However, the larger irrigation and water pump packages can be obtained once or procured gradually as needed, providing flexibility for producers to build their operations sustainably.
How to participate
Prospective beneficiaries should obtain quotations from suppliers of their choice in Namibia and submit them to their respective Regional Councils. DAPEES reserves the right to verify and reject quotations from suspicious suppliers before issuing subsidy vouchers. Retailers will then redeem the balance with Regional Councils after producers receive their subsidised inputs.
For more information and registration, farmers can contact their regional focal persons listed in the programme documentation or reach the Windhoek head office through Programme Coordinators James Nzehengwa (061 208 7312) or Benita Elago (061 208 7588).
QR CODE WEB LINK: https://q.my.na/7PXU
QR CODE IMAGE: https://q.my.na/uploads/images/7PXU.png
QR CODE CAPTION: Scan here to visit the MAWLR website
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