Staff Reporter
AMERICAN agricultural technology company 6th Grain Corporation has secured a US$2.4 million (about N$39.5 million) contract with Namibia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform to deploy satellite-based crop monitoring and artificial intelligence technology aimed at strengthening food security and agricultural planning.
The one-year agreement, which took effect on 16 June 2026, will see the company provide advanced remote sensing, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence tools to support the monitoring and management of Namibia’s staple crop sectors.
The project will focus on key crops, including maize, mahangu, sorghum, cowpea and wheat, providing government with real-time data to improve crop production forecasts, drought risk assessments and agricultural decision-making.
According to 6th Grain, the partnership will deliver a range of digital services, including annual crop maps, crop health monitoring, national production forecast reports, land suitability assessments, pasture health monitoring and an executive dashboard to support ministerial planning.
The initiative will also establish a geo-tagged farmer survey database linked to an interactive digital platform to support agricultural interventions.
A key component of the agreement is the transfer of technology and expertise to the Ministry. The company will provide government officials with software, artificial intelligence models and hands-on training in remote sensing and geospatial analysis, enabling Namibia to independently operate and expand the system after the project concludes.
The Ministry will retain ownership of all sovereign agricultural and land-related data generated through the programme.
The United States Embassy in Namibia welcomed the agreement, saying it demonstrates how American innovation and technology can contribute to Namibia’s agricultural development while strengthening commercial ties between the two countries.
The embassy added that it remains committed to supporting American companies investing in Namibia and promoting partnerships that create opportunities for both nations.
6th Grain Chief Science Officer Dr Molly Brown said the partnership would place world-class Earth observation tools directly into the hands of Namibia’s agricultural institutions, allowing them to access satellite-driven analytics tailored to the country’s crops and climate conditions.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Vlad Eskin said the agreement is designed to build lasting local capacity, enabling Namibia’s agricultural institutions to make informed decisions using reliable, data-driven information long after the project has been completed.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photos: 6th Grain Corporation
