Justicia Shipena
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says food produced by the Namibia Correctional Service (NCS) saved the government N$6.7 million between May and June this year.
The NCS farms located at Divundu, Oluno, and Hardap, produced food valued at N$ 13.9 during this period.
“This is a clear demonstration of how we can leverage government institutions to be more productive and self-sustaining,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made these remarks on Monday in Windhoek during the launch of the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6), where she also reported on her administration’s first 100 days in office.
She said agriculture remains a key focus of her government’s agenda . Two new green scheme sites, Katima Farm in Zambezi and Ekoka in Ohangwena, have been identified to expand irrigated farming and improve food security.
She said all nine existing green schemes under the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform remain operational, covering 5,600 hectares.
As of 10 June 2025, 3 403 hectares were under cultivation, producing 9 947 tonnes of maize, 300 tonnes of potatoes, and 39 tonnes of sunflower.
The president said de-bushing has started at the Uvhungu-Vhungu Dairy Farm in Kavango East as part of plans to establish large-scale super farms with strategic partners.
A pilot food security project in Otjombinde, developed with the World Food Programme (WFP), will be expanded to the remaining 13 regions.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also said the irrigation design of the Neckartal Dam is under review.
A seed processing plant is being refurbished in Omahenene, Omusati Region, while new facilities are under construction in Katima Mulilo and Katwitwi.
A feasibility study is also planned for a combined seed and fertiliser facility through a public-private partnership.
She said the government has improved the seed and fertiliser subsidy scheme and activated infant industry protections to boost agricultural output.
On livestock, Nandi- Ndaitwah highlighted a protocol signed with China in May 2025 that allows Namibia to export mutton and chevon. Support for communal, resettled, and emerging farmers continues, with 180 goats distributed to nine farmers in Ohangwena under a revolving scheme. The government has spent over N$101 million on livestock support.
By June, drought relief had reached 1.4 million people (384 935 households) and was valued at N$1.3 billion. A food voucher system now covers 144 930 households across nine regions through 493 retailers. Flood relief has reached 9 184 people in eight regions.
The government plans to clear relief distribution backlogs by August, expand the voucher programme, and finalise a flood reconstruction plan.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also said the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy is developing a policy that will require a mandatory minimum local equity stake in new mining ventures, which currently stands at 10%. “In pursuit of increased national ownership and value addition, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has started to develop a policy on mandatory minimum percentage local equity participation in all new mining ventures,” she said.
She said plans are underway to legislate mineral beneficiation, with support from the African Development Bank’s African Legal Support Facility. Consultations with the Bank of Namibia have started on establishing a national gold reserve and the necessary legal framework.
“These initiatives are aimed at ensuring that Namibians benefit more meaningfully from the country’s natural resources,” she said.
During the event, she officially launched NDP6, the government’s development blueprint toward Vision 2030.
She said the plan draws from national and international frameworks, including the Vision 2030 mid-term review, the NDP5 terminal report, the SWAPO Manifesto Implementation Plan, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the SADC Vision 2050.
Nandi- Ndaitwa described the country’s growing youth population as a national asset. She said her streamlined cabinet of 14 ministers and 7 deputy ministers is now fully in place, along with all 14 regional governors.
“Ministers have been directed to align their performance agreements with NDP6. The process of signing these agreements will commence this month,” she said.
