The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has tabled a N$2.57-billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, focusing on food production, land reform and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Presenting the budget to the parliament on Thursday, minister Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi said the proposed allocation under Vote 37 aims to address national food security and land accessibility through expanded programmes and structural reforms.

“A total budget of N$2 569 216 000 is for operational expenditure, and N$515 600 000 is for development expenditure,” she said.

The budget covers six key programmes.

Agriculture development will receive the largest portion at N$1.49 billion, while land reform and resettlement is allocated N$23 million.

Land administration will receive N$155 million and policy coordination and support services N$596 million.

Zaamwani-Kamwi said the ministry will continue its vaccination campaigns against foot-and-mouth disease, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia and rabies.

“We plan to complete the installation of equipment at the Ongwediva Meat Processing Plant and upgrade quarantine facilities in the Zambezi and Omusati regions,” she said.

In the 2024/25 financial year, the ministry supported 79 582 cereal farmers under the dry-land crop production programme.

It also distributed 840 goats to 40 households and supported 529 poultry and 101 dairy producers through a value chain programme.

Zaamwani-Kamwi said eight commercial farms, totalling over 30 000 hectares, were acquired for resettlement, while two more farms were acquired for generational farmworkers.

“We will continue with land acquisitions and expansion of communal areas. The ministry welcomes the N$100-million allocation for resettling landless farmers in corridors,” she said.

The ministry plans to reintroduce the land bill, which was not debated before the previous parliament dissolved.

“The bill aims to promote equitable access to land and prohibits foreign nationals from owning land or holding customary land rights,” the minister said.

Marine and inland fisheries research will receive N$110 million to support scientific surveys, community fisheries reserves, and international cooperation.

Zaamwani-Kamwi further said irrigation is no longer optional.

“Agricultural production under irrigation is the most strategic course of action available to ensure food security,” she said.

The minister concluded by urging the parliament to approve the budget.

Source - https://www.namibian.com.na