Sostenus Wilherm
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani has challenged farmers in Aminuis and the wider Omaheke Region to move beyond primary production and embrace value addition, warning that Namibia’s future agricultural growth depends on producers capturing more economic benefits along the livestock value chain.
Speaking at the official opening of the 22nd Aminuis Agricultural and Industrial Show on Thursday, held under the theme “Cultivating a Legacy of Excellence,” Zaamwani said the livestock sector must evolve from simply producing animals for export into a broader industry that creates jobs, businesses and wealth within rural communities.
She said Aminuis has demonstrated resilience and excellence despite difficult conditions, recalling that the community successfully hosted a major agricultural exhibition during the severe drought of 2024.
“That is what a legacy of excellence looks like in practice: hard work and responsible stewardship holding firm even when conditions do not,” Zaamwani said.
The minister, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, said agriculture remains a key pillar of Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which identifies the sector as central to economic growth, employment creation, food security and rural development.
She emphasised that achieving these goals requires improvement across the entire agricultural value chain, from production and planning to processing and market access.
“Agriculture extends beyond cultivating crops and raising livestock; it requires innovation, resilience and a culture of continuous improvement,” she said.
Zaamwani highlighted strong growth recorded in Namibia’s livestock sector during the first half of 2026, crediting farmers for contributing to increased marketing, exports and slaughter activity.
According to provisional figures presented at the event, cattle marketing increased to 126 672 animals during the first half of 2026, compared to 122 865 during the same period in 2025.
Live cattle exports also increased significantly, rising by 47.4% to 39,083 animals, while export-approved abattoirs recorded increased throughput, reaching 13 151 cattle in June 2026.
The sheep sector recorded even stronger growth, with marketing reaching 447 299 animals, representing a 39.8% increase compared to the previous year.
Sheep slaughter activity at export-approved abattoirs increased by 37.9%, while live sheep exports rose by 58.1% year-on-year.
Zaamwani said the figures demonstrate the importance of farmers in communal areas, particularly in regions such as Omaheke, which contribute significantly to Namibia’s livestock economy.
“These figures matter because without the sheep and cattle farmers gathered here today, Namibia could not have recorded this performance,” she said.
She noted that the communal farming sector covers about 41% of Namibia’s land area and is home to approximately 60% of the population, making it a critical component of the national economy.
The minister identified Aminuis as a key contributor due to its strong livestock tradition, extensive grazing areas and strategic location near regional trade routes.
However, she urged producers, especially young farmers, to focus on adding value instead of exporting raw products.
She encouraged youth to explore opportunities in feedlotting, hide and leather processing, wool handling, packaging and logistics.
“The opportunity before you is not only to keep producing at the primary level, but to move higher up the value chain, into areas where value is added and retained closer to home rather than exported as a raw commodity,” Zaamwani said.
She further highlighted growing international demand for Namibian beef and livestock products, including emerging opportunities in markets such as China.
However, she cautioned that producers must strengthen traceability, animal health records and compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards to access and maintain those markets.
Zaamwani also encouraged young farmers to make use of available financing instruments, including the National Youth Development Fund, Development Bank of Namibia and Agribank’s Agri-Pioneer Scheme.
She said these programmes provide opportunities for young people to establish agricultural enterprises, but urged applicants to organise themselves and develop viable business proposals.
The minister also raised the possibility of transforming Aminuis into a communal industrial hub by developing small-scale processing linked to the region’s livestock base.
She said such initiatives could help retain more value locally while creating employment opportunities.
Concluding her address, Zaamwani praised farmers, exhibitors, sponsors and partners for sustaining the Aminuis Show for more than two decades.
“A legacy of excellence is not inherited; it is cultivated, season after season, the same way this Show Society has cultivated this show for twenty-two years,” she said.
She officially declared the 22nd Aminuis Agricultural and Industrial Show open, calling on young people to view agriculture not only as a traditional livelihood but as a sector with opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship and economic transformation.
