The government unveiled a national agricultural support programme for the 2025/26 financial year, allocating over N$28 million to strengthen food security, increase production and productivity, and build climate resilience among small-scale producers.
The programme covers horticulture, poultry, dairy, and small stock development across all 14 regions.
The Horticulture Support and Value Chain Development Programme will assist about 1 000 small-scale producers through subsidies on inputs.
Farmers can receive a 50% subsidy on seeds, 60% on fertilizers, 50% on pesticides and herbicides, and 65% on irrigation materials and shade nets. Subsidized tillage services are also available at N$500 per hectare.
To qualify, beneficiaries must be Namibian citizens with proven production capacity, reliable water sources, and clear production and marketing plans.
The Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme has a budget of N$5.04 million and targets 2,000 small-scale poultry producers nationwide. It offers a 60% subsidy on production stock, 50% on veterinary medicines and feeds, and 65% on equipment such as incubators, housing, and processing machinery.
A further N$84,000 is allocated for training farmers in poultry production and marketing.
The Dairy Value Chain Development Scheme is being piloted in Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, Oshikoto, and Zambezi.
It focuses on 150 dairy producers to support a modern and self-sustaining dairy industry. The programme provides a 60% subsidy on production stock, 50% on veterinary medicines and feeds, and 65% on machinery, equipment, and construction materials.
Subsidies are capped at N$200,000 for dairy cattle producers and N$100,000 for dairy goat producers.
The Small Stock Distribution and Development programme will continue its revolving project by providing breeding flocks to vulnerable households.
Each farmer will receive 20 ewes and one ram to establish sustainable income. For 2025/26, the project has a budget of N$4 million and will benefit 40 farmers in Erongo and Omusati.
Agriculture projects support services programme coordinator James Nzehengwa said: “The implementation framework involves close collaboration between the MAFWLR and Regional Councils, with technical support from various directorates and traditional authorities.
He added: “The programmes specifically prioritize women, youth and people with disabilities, ensuring vulnerable groups receive targeted support to participate meaningfully in agricultural value chains.
The initiatives are demand driven and therefore encourages all interested crop and livestock producers across the 14 regions of Namibia to visit the nearest Agricultural Development Centres to access these subsidies.”
