The government says Namibia’s rural areas are at the centre of a transformative push aimed at diversifying economic activities and reinforcing the country’s food systems.
With urbanisation trends on the rise, Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, emphasised the enduring significance of rural regions in ensuring food system resilience and the provision of vital raw materials for secondary industries.
“Our rural areas have a great potential for diversifying economic activities, especially to drive the transformation of food systems to support both rural and urban residents,” Uutoni said during a recent address.
The Minister’s remarks underscored the intrinsic value of rural areas, even as approximately 51% of Namibia’s population resides in urban centres.
He highlighted that the importance of rural revitalisation extends beyond economic diversification, it also strengthens the linkages between rural and urban economies, contributes to poverty alleviation, and opens up avenues for job creation.
“So, revitalising rural areas in Namibia will strengthen the connection between rural and urban economies and contribute to poverty alleviation while creating opportunities for new jobs,” Uutoni stated.
Over the years, Namibia has made significant progress in improving rural areas through various cross-cutting policies and strategies, but the nation faces persistent challenges.
High poverty rates, inequalities, unemployment, and climate change sensitivity are among the issues that continue to pose hurdles to rural development.
The impact of the post-COVID-19 era and a sluggish economic recovery have intensified these challenges.
In response, Uutoni emphasised the need to transform rural economic activities, noting that, “central to this effort is supporting rural youth through skills development and creating an enabling environment for their active participation in rural development initiatives”.
Furthermore, leveraging the potential of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) graduates, he noted, would be instrumental in changing mindsets, inspiring entrepreneurship, and fostering innovative solutions for livelihoods and income generation.
Minister Uutoni reaffirmed the government’s ongoing commitment to rural development reforms.
“The government is working to enhance conditions for rural transformation, with a focus on diversifying rural economies and forging stronger links with urban areas. Plans are underway to finalise the review of the National Rural Development Policy and Strategy before the end of the fiscal year,” he said.
The Minister delivered the remarks at the Annual Rural Development Progress Review and Planning Workshop at Nkurenkuru on Monday, which serves as a testament to the collective commitment of stakeholders to realise these objectives, as outlined in the National Development Plans.
