Staff Writer
Nedbank Namibia has pledged N$560,000 to sponsor students at the Agra Agricultural Academy in 2025.
The funding will cover registration and tuition fees for national certificate and diploma students, making education more affordable for aspiring agricultural professionals.
The Agra Agricultural Academy is managed by Agra ProVision, a subsidiary of Agra Limited.
It offers training in plant production, animal production, advanced farm management, agricultural extension, and agri-sales and services.
The academy provides accredited online courses through the South African Qualification Authority and is affiliated with the International Agricultural Academy for Africa.
At the sponsorship handover, Nedbank Namibia Managing Director Martha Murorua emphasised the bank’s strategic focus on agriculture.
“The agricultural sector has been a key pillar in our strategic plan and will continue to be so. This investment reflects our commitment to a stronger future for Namibia’s agriculture,” she said.
Murorua explained that the bursaries aim to encourage young people to pursue agriculture qualifications.
“Practical degrees equip students with hands-on skills to address modern agricultural challenges and contribute to sector growth. Our investments in education, including the N$800,000 Nedbank Bursary program and our Education Trust, are vital for building a skilled workforce that supports economic growth, food security, and sustainable jobs in Namibia.”
Agra Limited CEO Arnold Klein highlighted the company’s strong local presence, noting that since Agra ProVision’s inception, it has had over 3,800 shareholders, 75% of whom are active Namibian farmers.
“We take pride in being taxpayers who support Namibia’s economy. Since 2017, we have paid out N$61 million in dividends, and this year, we expect profits after tax to grow by 45% to 55%,” he said.
Nedbank Namibia and Agra Limited have partnered with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) to provide students with practical on-the-job training at NAB-supported agricultural institutes after graduation.
A memorandum of understanding is being finalised to define roles and responsibilities.
NAB CEO Fidelis Mwazi stressed the importance of specialised training and adaptation to climate change.
“Our graduate training programme supports disciplines like agronomy, plant health, and soil management at the postgraduate level. We place graduates with strategic farming operations to gain practical experience and develop into consultants and mentors,” he said.
Mwazi added that irrigated agriculture is now essential due to climate change, and NAB is working with financial institutions to develop financing for the crop value chain to help farmers adopt resilient and productive systems.
Nedbank Namibia also supports agriculture through initiatives such as the Nedbank for Agriculture Series, a 10-event nationwide golf tournament that raised N$250,000 for Agra ProVision in 2024, funding training for underprivileged farmers.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, underlined the government’s focus on food sufficiency and the agricultural sector’s role in socio-economic development while delivering the keynote on behalf of Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare.
“Agriculture contributes to job creation, poverty eradication, food self-reliance, and GDP growth. It is a priority area in Vision 2030 and our National Development Plans,” she said.
