Small-scale farmers to up food production
Although the agricultural sector is currently only contributing 3.8% to the GDP of Namibia, the government aims to make it a priority during the next few years with more emphasis on the production of small-scale farmers.
According to the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), agriculture remains a strategic sector as it supports 70% of the Namibian population end employs a third of the country's workforce.
The continuous drought and frequent outbreaks of animal diseases have negatively impacted the growth of the sector during the NDP4 period, contracting it by an average of 2.2% per year.
The country has moved from an exporter of live animals to an exporter of value-added agricultural goods, the report says.
According to the report, the aim is to decrease food insecure people from 25% to 12% and increase food production by 30% by 2022.
Namibia imported about 75%, 98% and 91% of its demand for maize millet and wheat respectively in 2015.
“Such import dependency poses a food security risk and trade imbalance,” says the report.
It adds that most smallholder farmers are not currently organised and therefore not productive.
The re-organisation of smallholder farmers will increase production, food security and income.
“The productivity of small- medium- and large-scale farms must be maximised to increase the wealth of Namibians and ensure food security for all.”
An increase in production of smallholder farmers will create opportunities for value addition and the development of agro-business. “This will in turn narrow the trade deficit of agricultural products and improve the nutritional status of the Namibian people.”
Furthermore, government institutions will procure locally sourced produce in bulk for prisons, army barracks, hospitals and schools, and will encourage larger companies to do the same. It also says that the government tender system will be used to favour local producers.
There will be accelerated land acquisition for redistribution, supportive infrastructure for small-scale farmers, including increased access to market, quality control support and better seeds.
Some 5 536 hectare of land for irrigation and 82 200 hectare land will be de-bushed annually.
Furthermore, the government aims to increase the share of national livestock production marketed from 4% to 10% and increase food storage capacity from 22 900 tonnes to 39 400 tonnes.
ELLANIE SMIT
According to the Fifth National Development Plan (NDP5), agriculture remains a strategic sector as it supports 70% of the Namibian population end employs a third of the country's workforce.
The continuous drought and frequent outbreaks of animal diseases have negatively impacted the growth of the sector during the NDP4 period, contracting it by an average of 2.2% per year.
The country has moved from an exporter of live animals to an exporter of value-added agricultural goods, the report says.
According to the report, the aim is to decrease food insecure people from 25% to 12% and increase food production by 30% by 2022.
Namibia imported about 75%, 98% and 91% of its demand for maize millet and wheat respectively in 2015.
“Such import dependency poses a food security risk and trade imbalance,” says the report.
It adds that most smallholder farmers are not currently organised and therefore not productive.
The re-organisation of smallholder farmers will increase production, food security and income.
“The productivity of small- medium- and large-scale farms must be maximised to increase the wealth of Namibians and ensure food security for all.”
An increase in production of smallholder farmers will create opportunities for value addition and the development of agro-business. “This will in turn narrow the trade deficit of agricultural products and improve the nutritional status of the Namibian people.”
Furthermore, government institutions will procure locally sourced produce in bulk for prisons, army barracks, hospitals and schools, and will encourage larger companies to do the same. It also says that the government tender system will be used to favour local producers.
There will be accelerated land acquisition for redistribution, supportive infrastructure for small-scale farmers, including increased access to market, quality control support and better seeds.
Some 5 536 hectare of land for irrigation and 82 200 hectare land will be de-bushed annually.
Furthermore, the government aims to increase the share of national livestock production marketed from 4% to 10% and increase food storage capacity from 22 900 tonnes to 39 400 tonnes.
ELLANIE SMIT
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