insert_link Namibia Agriculture Minister discusses aquifer pollution risks The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein is visiting the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa Regions to engage with regional leaders, Communal Land Boards, Resettlement Committees, and farmers. During a community meeting in Leonardville, the Minister discussed the Stampriet Aquifer, where he explained how underground mining can pollute water sources. todayAugust 15, 2024 24
insert_link Namibia New Dairy Scheme Aims to Boost Local Production and Reduce Imports The Agriculture, Water and Land Reform ministry has launched a dairy value chain development scheme to support 60 existing dairy producers across the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, and Zambezi regions in 2024/25. The initiative, which includes subsidies on production stock, veterinary medicine, and equipment, aims to build a modern, self-sustaining dairy industry in Namibia. The scheme seeks to reduce reliance on dairy imports by integrating small-scale rural producers into the national […] todayAugust 14, 2024 13
insert_link Africa Data protection is poor for African farmers who use digital services: Kenya and Ghana cases highlight gaps By Heike Baumüller, University of Bonn and Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu, University of Bonn Across Africa, agricultural producers are turning to digital solutions to get information about farming methods, market access or financial services. By 2022, there were 666 of these solutions operating on the continent, the highest number among all low- and medium-income regions. Advances in digital devices, such as smartphones, sensors and satellites, connected through the internet […] todayAugust 7, 2024 46
insert_link Namibia Agriculture Ministry responds to “lung sickness” outbreak in Okapundja An outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia commonly known as “lung sickness” has been detected at Okapundja village, 51 km east of Opuwo. Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, spokesperson, Jona Musheko, has more. Musheko explains the measures instituted by the Directorate of Veterinary Services to control the outbreak. todayJuly 24, 2024 28
insert_link Business / Economics IMF projects Namibia’s GDP growth to slow to 3.6% in 2024 The International Monetary Fund forecasts that real GDP growth in Namibia will slow to 3.6% in 2024, owing to global macroeconomic headwinds and tight monetary conditions. The fund released its World Economic Outlook Update on 16 July 2024. Similarly, the African Development Bank forecasts a decline in GDP to 3.3% for both 2024 and 2025, driven by weak global demand and a contraction in agriculture. todayJuly 17, 2024 29
insert_link Business / Economics 4-11 July 2024 Weekly Economics Wrap: Insights from Namibia, South Africa, Africa, and Beyond Namibia's Commercial Agricultural Land Prices Surge Recent data from the Namibia Statistics Agency reveals a notable surge in the prices of commercial agricultural land across the country. Over the past eight years, prices have risen by 21.1%, culminating in a national index of 121.1 basis points in 2023. This upward trend underscores sustained growth in the agricultural sector, reflecting robust investor confidence and potential implications for the broader economy. […] todayJuly 11, 2024 6
insert_link Africa South Africa’s new agricultural leadership should focus on getting things done, not designing new policies By Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University South Africa’s primary agriculture sector accounts for nearly 3% of GDP and about 8% when considering the value of agro-processing. But it can contribute even more to economic growth that delivers benefits fairly across society and creates jobs. This can’t happen, however, if new policies and plans keep getting introduced. Fortunately, the views of the new agricultural minister, John Steenhuisen, may […] todayJuly 3, 2024 27
insert_link Namibia Government Expands Water Supply with N$250 Million Ohangwena II Aquifer Project Agriculture, Water and Land Reform minister, Carl Herman Gustav Schlettwein, announced the launch of the Ohangwena II Wellfield Water Supply Schemes, funded by a N$250 million initiative under the African Development Bank’s Namibia Water Sector Support Programme. The project aims to enhance water infrastructure in northern Namibia, ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water for areas between Omafo-Eenhana and Omakango-Onambutu-Eenhana. This initiative forms part of Namibia's broader efforts to address […] todayJuly 1, 2024 43
insert_link Namibia Namibia faces worst drought in decade The Kamanjab Constituency is facing severe drought, leading local leaders to seek national assistance. Councillor Niko Somaeb told the Namibia Press Agency the area has experienced over 80% livestock loss due to the decade-long drought, which is the worst on record. Despite ongoing food aid efforts supporting 2,080 households, Somaeb stressed the need for additional support to sustain remaining livestock and address food insecurity. todayJune 24, 2024 32