Africa-Press – Namibia.
The education ministry has handed over mushroom production start-up materials valued at N$223 000 to youth groups across the country to help them establish small agricultural enterprises.
The equipment was officially handed over at the Berg Aukas Youth Skills Training Centre in Grootfontein, where six youth-led mushroom cultivation projects received specialised materials to begin production.
The initiative forms part of the ministry’s youth self-employment programme aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation among young people.
Deputy director for employment and training Lysias Haiduwa said the project represents a strategic investment in empowering youth to create their own economic opportunities.
“The programme supports the objectives of NDP6, which prioritises youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and food security,” Haiduwa noted.
Last year, a total of 104 young people from all fourteen regions were trained in mushroom production.
The training equipped participants with practical and entrepreneurial skills needed to establish sustainable livelihoods.
The ministry said that the start-up materials handed over will enable trained youth in selected regions to set up mushroom production enterprises in their communities.
Youth groups in Omuthiya in the Oshikoto region, Okahao in the Omusati region, Khorixas in the Kunene region and Usakos in the Erongo region are among those benefiting from the programme.
Representing the beneficiaries, Andrew Geiseb thanked the ministry for bridging the gap between training and practical business opportunities.
“The ministry has laid a strong foundation.
The responsibility now lies with us to ensure these resources translate into meaningful impact in our communities,” Geiseb said.
The ministry noted that the programme will continue to expand, with additional youth expected to receive support in the 2026/2027 financial year as the government strengthens initiatives aimed at youth self-employment and agricultural innovation.
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