Hosted in Windhoek, the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) officially launched its 2023/2024 Annual Report, Crop Value Chain Development Strategy (2025-2030), Integrated Strategic Business Plan (2025-2030).
The launch signals NAB`s bold and deliberate step forward in aligning its vision with Namibia`s broader national development goals to unlock the full potential of the crop sector through agro-processing and innovation. The Five-Year Integrated Strategic Business Plan is anchored in the Public Enterprises Governance Act, 1 of 2019. It compels NAB to align its operations to national priorities, deliver measurable results, and operate with financial discipline.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani who officiated the event highlighted that the achievements by the NAB sends a strong message that public enterprises can deliver both development and clean governance.
Zaamwani added that as the shareholder Ministry, they expect NAB to function not as a routine regulator, but as a strategic enabler of transformation that actively mobilizes investment, partnerships and market facilitations to enable the locally produced crop products have access to the markets.
“But beyond production, market access is the heartbeat of this strategy. Farmers will plant more if they are assured of reliable, profitable markets”, she said.
At the launch; Dr. Fidelis Mwazi, Chief Executive Officer of the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) revealed that the horticultural exports grew from N$ 1.7 billion in the previous financial year to N$ 1.9 billion in the reporting period.
Fidelis further stated that local sourcing through the Market Share Promotion Scheme (MSP) rose to 40%, supporting Namibian producers. Local vegetable production marketed locally accounted for 56% of the total domestic value and imports 44% horticultural exports increased by 19% (16 441 tons or N$ 141 million) in the reporting period, when compared to the previous financial year. The current export value stands at N$ 1.9 billion.
NAB Board Chairperson, Hubertus Hamm emphasised that the Crop Value Chain Development Strategy is supported by a targeted investment of N$ 250 million over five years. The strategy focuses on reducing post-harvest losses, scaling up agro-processing, expanding market access, and positioning Namibia not only to feed itself but also to compete regionally and globally.
Currently, Namibia produces around N$ 4 billion in crop-based processed products yet import more than N$ 5 billion annually in products like sugar, juices, tomato-based goods, frozen produce, and cooking oil.
According to Hubertus, this gap is not a shortcoming but an opportunity. “With over 800 000 hectares of arable land and a portfolio of high potential crops such as maize, millet, wheat, groundnuts, citrus, grapes, tropical fruits, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes, Namibia is well-positioned to bridge this import-gap, grow its exports, and create thousands of jobs along the value chain”, he said.
