Namibian Agronomic Board is targeting the creation of 24,000 jobs by 2030 through a new fruit production scheme aimed at reducing imports, expanding local processing and strengthening Namibia’s horticulture sector.
The board has introduced the Fruit Value Chain Development Scheme (FVCDS), which forms part of broader efforts to increase local agricultural production and cut dependence on imported produce.
NAB Manager for Horticulture Development Emilie Abraham said the scheme was developed following calls from industry stakeholders for greater support to local producers.
“Stakeholders have been looking for these schemes, they’ve been advising the board, and we realised that let us actually come up with this scheme so that we can subsidise and make production cheaper for most of the key products that we consume,” she said.
The initiative aligns with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and government targets to reduce imports by at least 80%.
Under the plan, 100 hectares will be planted annually, with total production expected to reach 400 hectares by 2030.
“When we talk about 100 hectares planted, we basically can translate or confidently translate it into 6,000 jobs because we are looking at at least a standard of six jobs created per hectare. And already by 2030, we are looking at 24,000 jobs to be created,” Abraham said.
The board said the programme is also aimed at strengthening food security, increasing value addition and retaining more economic activity within Namibia.
“When you are importing more, you are basically exporting your job value addition,” Abraham said.
She added that the scheme would also support the growth of small businesses involved in food processing and agro-manufacturing.
“Value addition will also be considered because, obviously, when you are producing a product, it’s not only A grade, you also have the B grade, the C grade. And when you do have your C grade and B grade, obviously, then you encourage a lot of value chain actors, such as, for example, MSMEs, that want to do processing,” she said.
According to Abraham, the scheme could also help unlock local production of processed food products such as frozen chips and juice by improving access to locally produced raw materials.
“We need to make it easier for our people and strengthen our value chain as well, from the farm to the town,” she said.
