Africa-Press – Namibia. WHILE the agricultural sector remains a cornerstone of Namibia’s socio-economic development, it faces a critical challenge: an ageing workforce and declining interest among the youth in agriculture-related careers.
This concern was highlighted by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her keynote address at the 2025 Agri-Outlook Conference held in Windhoek, under the theme “Harvesting the Future.” She emphasised the urgent need to revitalise the sector to ensure it continues to support the nation.
“Despite being the largest employer in Namibia, the agricultural workforce is ageing, with signs that the youth are lacking interest in agriculture-related jobs. Although the food and nutrition security situation has improved over the past decades, some level of undernourishment persists. It is imperative that a conducive environment has to be created for agriculture through connectivity, creativity and access to finance for the sector to save its purpose,” she said.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed the sector’s vital role, stating that agriculture is essential for the survival of all people. She also underscored that agriculture serves as a catalyst for the manufacturing industry and remains a significant source of foreign revenue. However, she acknowledged that the sector has experienced growing volatility due to climate change and chronic underinvestment.
She stressed the importance of securing essential agricultural inputs to boost production, enhance economic competitiveness, and sustain the broader agricultural value chain. She assured that the government will continue to support the creation of an enabling environment and called for the prioritisation of climate-resilient agricultural practices, along with increased investment in innovation and agri-tech.
“In order to harvest the future, we must reimagine agriculture as a smart, sustainable, and inclusive engine of development by embracing climate-resilient practices, investing in innovation and agri-tech, supporting smallholder farmers, and building value chains that are both equitable and efficient,” the president added.
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