Staff Reporter
CLIMATE change, water scarcity and sustainable resource management have been identified as major priorities under Namibia’s new strategy to transform the agri-food sector, with Government aiming to build a more resilient agricultural system capable of withstanding increasing environmental pressures.
The Strategy for the Transformation of the Agri-food Sector (STAS) 2025/26–2030/31 identifies climate change as the biggest challenge facing Namibian agriculture over the next decade and outlines measures to improve resource management, strengthen institutions and support long-term agricultural productivity.
One of the strategy’s key focus areas is sustainable resource management under Strategic Pillar 3, which seeks to maintain a productive natural resource base that can withstand climate shocks.
The strategy promotes regenerative rangeland management practices, including planned grazing, bush thinning and soil rehydration, to improve livestock productivity and restore degraded land.
Government plans to encourage farmers to adopt these practices through incentives such as tax rebates for early livestock marketing during drought periods and low-interest loans for regenerative infrastructure, including solar-powered water points.
Bush encroachment is also highlighted as both an environmental challenge and an economic opportunity. The strategy notes that invasive bush affects nearly 46 million hectares of rangeland, reducing biodiversity and groundwater recharge.
To address the problem, STAS proposes expanding the production of charcoal, woodchips and bioenergy from harvested bush. Effective bush thinning could generate an estimated net economic benefit of N$48 billion over 25 years, according to the strategy.
The document further highlights the importance of improving soil health and carbon management through regenerative grazing practices that restore perennial grass cover and increase water infiltration.
It also calls for a review of the 1969 Soil Conservation Act to ensure that legislation reflects current environmental challenges and agricultural needs.
Water security is another major focus, with the strategy warning that many groundwater systems face increasing pressure due to overuse and climate variability.
To improve water availability, STAS proposes exploring non-traditional sources such as seawater desalination for irrigation and implementing a National Irrigation Master Plan to expand agricultural production.
The strategy notes that irrigated farming can achieve significantly higher yields compared to rain-fed production, making improved irrigation infrastructure critical for food security.
To strengthen climate adaptation, STAS calls for the implementation of the revised 2022 Drought Management Policy and Strategy to improve responses before, during and after drought events.
It also proposes integrating the Namibia Rangeland Early Warning System (NREWS) into agricultural extension services to help farmers respond more effectively to risks such as drought, pests and veld fires.
The strategy further encourages the documentation and sharing of indigenous knowledge and traditional coping mechanisms used by communities to survive in Namibia’s arid environment.
Beyond environmental resilience, STAS identifies stronger institutions and improved governance as essential to transforming the sector.
A key policy shift proposed by the strategy is moving Government’s role from being a direct “market actor” to becoming a “market enabler” by creating conditions that encourage private investment through supportive policies, infrastructure development and a stable operating environment.
The strategy also promotes digital transformation in agriculture through technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and drones to monitor pests, diseases, water use and crop conditions.
According to STAS, these technologies can improve efficiency by helping farmers optimise the use of water, pesticides and herbicides while increasing productivity.
The strategy further supports decentralisation by giving regions greater responsibility and resources to identify agricultural priorities based on their specific environmental and economic conditions.
Through these measures, STAS aims to create a climate-resilient, technology-driven and better-coordinated agri-food sector capable of supporting economic growth, food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform
