By: Peneyambeko Jonas
The Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) has called for changes to the country’s crop-sector laws and institutions to reduce duplication, attract investment and lower the cost of agricultural production.
NAB Chief Executive Officer, Fidelis Mwazi, made the proposal during the Public Enterprises Chief Executive Officers Forum with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah in Windhoek.
Mwazi said responsibilities covering the crop value chain are currently spread across different laws and institutions, making it difficult for the sector to operate as one system.
“The single most transformative reform that is required is a comprehensive package of institutional and policy reform to enable the agricultural sector to function properly,” Mwazi said.
He proposed that the government consider bringing crop-related policies and legislation under a harmonised framework.
NAB could potentially be expanded into a broader crop development authority responsible for investment promotion, value-chain development, trade, market access, innovation and farmer support.
Mwazi said reducing institutional fragmentation could give investors clearer information about the sector and make it easier for businesses to participate in crop production and agro-processing.
He also called for targeted incentives to reduce production costs, including relief on selected agricultural inputs and lower electricity costs for farmers and agro-processors.
“Lowering the cost of production is necessary if we want to attract private investment, increase local production and create jobs across the agricultural value chain,” Mwazi said.
The proposed reforms come as Namibia seeks to increase domestic food production and reduce its dependence on imported food.
Expanding local production could also create opportunities for processing, storage, transport and other businesses linked to agriculture.
The wider discussion also focused on the role of public enterprises in supporting economic growth.
Hangala Group founder, Leake Hangala, said public institutions should be structured so that they can function effectively regardless of changes in leadership.
“Institutions must be designed to work beyond the personalities that occupy political and executive positions. Where roles between government, boards and executives are unclear, decision-making can suffer,” Hangala said.
NamPort Chief Executive, Andrew Kanime, said public enterprises should make greater use of private capital to finance infrastructure.
“We cannot expect the government alone to fund all the infrastructure that the economy needs. We need structures that allow private capital to participate while the state retains its strategic role,” Kanime said.
TransNamib chief executive Desmond van Jaarsveld pointed to ageing railway infrastructure and rolling stock as a constraint, noting that about 80% of the company’s locomotives are more than 50 years old.
NamWater Chief Executive, Abraham Nehemia, also highlighted ageing water infrastructure and the need for investment as demand increases.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has instructed public enterprises to identify one investment project that can be implemented within 24 months and one reform that could unlock their institutions.
The President also wants the enterprises to identify laws and regulations that require government intervention and show how reforms can create jobs and increase opportunities for Namibian businesses.
