By: Loise Shiimi
According to the Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) for November 2025, the country imported rice valued at N$421 million for the period of November 2024 to November 2025.
This outflow of funds mostly went to Thailand, despite the Namibia’s verified ability to produce rice, with small-scale projects running in Omusati Region, and the yet-to-be-revived Kalimbeza project.
Namibia spends between N$21 million and N$75 million on rice imports monthly. According to the NSA, “this is not surprising, given that rice production in Namibia is on a small scale.”
Vaino Namushinga, a rice farmer, told Eagle FM that rice production in Namibia can only be revitalised with government support for the industry.
“I understand that there is limited support available, but it often comes too late. We frequently apply for tractors, but they arrive after delays due to their use in other areas. The government should expedite assistance to provide us with hope and enable us to increase production,” he stated.
Namushinga further proposed that the government invests in constructing dams and boreholes for farmers willing to cultivate rice, emphasising that more farmers would enter the industry if they received adequate support.
The NSA indicated that rice imports during this period originated from Thailand and South Africa, while no local rice was exported in November 2025.
Touching on Namibia’s geography, Namushinga pointed out that the country possesses floodplains and areas suitable for rice cultivation.
“Our climate and soil are well-suited for rice production. Although rice requires significant water, this year we are experiencing good rainfall; we should take advantage of this and increase our rice cultivation,” he remarked.
He also suggested that the government facilitates land provision and encourages farmers capable of growing rice to do so. “Once such initiatives are in place, they simply need monitoring to ensure success,” he added.
Regarding the general interest in rice production, Namushinga shared concerns about the low number of people willing to collaborate with small-scale farmers. He remarked that many prefer alternative jobs offering immediate salaries, as opposed to building a farm from scratch – albeit rice crops only take 3-4 months to mature.
“For subsistence farmers, it is crucial to consider cultivating rice in areas that frequently flood. When comparing the prices of millet (omahangu) and rice, rice offers greater financial benefits; a 2kg bag costs N$35, whereas a bucket of millet is priced around N$120,” he explained.
Namushinga went on to urge more individuals to engage in rice production in order to reduce the reliance on imports.
“The issue is that many of us do not seek out information. The relevant information is readily available through the Ministry of Agriculture, but we neglect to seek guidance on how to start producing rice and what support is available,” he noted.
Jesaya Shipingana, a horticulturist and farmer, shared a similar perspective, stating that statistics indicate a significant opportunity in rice production.
“If we imported rice worth N$31 million [in November 2025 alone], it shows that Namibians have a strong preference for rice, yet there are insufficient local producers to meet this demand,” he said.
He also echoed that for the rice industry to thrive, there ought to be effective training available, allowing farmers to seize the opportunities arising from the knowledge gained through such training.
