Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called for the establishment of agricultural processing facilities in the Omaheke Region, arguing that Namibia must move beyond primary production if it wants to create jobs and grow rural economies.
Speaking at Farm Toekat in Otjinene, Ngurare said every region should identify opportunities to process what it already produces rather than exporting raw products and importing finished goods.
His remarks come as government pushes a regional industrialisation agenda aimed at creating employment and stimulating local economic activity.
Ngurare pointed to peanut butter manufacturing as one of the opportunities that could unlock greater value from agricultural production in Omaheke while creating jobs, particularly for young people.
The Prime Minister said the proposal aligns with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s directive that each region should establish a factory or processing facility linked to its comparative advantage.
“Omaheke has enormous agricultural potential. We have the land, the farmers and the determination. What is needed now is to add value to what we already produce so that our people can benefit economically and more employment opportunities can be created, especially for the youth,” he said.
Ngurare said Namibia’s development ambitions would remain constrained if regions continued to rely solely on producing raw agricultural commodities without developing local manufacturing capacity.
He said value addition would allow communities to retain a greater share of economic benefits while creating sustainable employment opportunities.
The Prime Minister also urged citizens to play a more active role in development and hold leaders accountable for delivering on commitments.
“Government alone cannot achieve development without the involvement of communities. Citizens must feel free to engage leaders and demand progress where promises have been made,” he said.
Farm Toekat owner Nico Steenkamp welcomed the initiative and called for stronger cooperation across the agricultural sector.
“We must support one another and move forward together. Agriculture can only thrive when farmers unite and share knowledge, opportunities and resources,” Steenkamp said.
Ngurare further called on farmers to work with government to establish community gardens to help address food insecurity and malnutrition in the region.
He also pledged government support in tackling key challenges facing farmers, including stock theft, poor telecommunications coverage and inadequate road infrastructure. “Improving these services will support agricultural activities and contribute to broader rural development and economic empowerment in the Omaheke Region,” he said
