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The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development manages and utilizes water and agricultural resources to achieve sound socio-economic development. Based on the National Development Plan  (NDP1), the ministry adopted the following objectives: 

1.      to facilitate the empowerment of communities to manage their agricultural resources in a sustainable way;

2.      to ensure progressive improvement in households food security and nutrition;

3.      to ensure access to reliable water supply of an appropriate standard for households and  other economic uses;  

4.      to continuously improve the capacity of the ministry to best serve its customers efficiently and in a cost effective manner;

5.      to assist and advise on the land reform process; and

6.      to improve agricultural income.

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The ministry comprises two departments, namely, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Water Affairs. Head offices of both departments are located in the capital, while five technical directorates are well-represented in all thirteen regions.

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The five directorates of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are responsible for the following areas:

1. animal health;

2. agricultural research and training;

3. agricultural extension and engineering;

4.planning and policy, and

5. administration.

In line with the national policy of outsourcing, six agencies resort under the department. The Karakul Board of Namibia, Meat Board of Namibia, Livestock Improvement Board and the Namibian Agronomic Board are responsible for promoting their industries. The Meat Corporation of Namibia is empowered to operate abattoirs and to sell Namibian meat. The Veterinary Council is the official authority registering professional veterinary practitioners. The Agricultural Department of the Namibia Development Corporation is technically seen as an agency initiating and developing agricultural projects.

As described in the National Agricultural Policy, overall goal of the ministry is to increase and sustain levels of agricultural productivity, real farm incomes and national and household food security within the context of the country’s fragile ecosystem. 

To reach this goal, however, and to ensure that the majority of Namibians enjoy improvements in their standard and quality of living, the ministry has been and will continue to work towards achieving the following strategic objectives:

1. Attain growth rates and stability in farm incomes, agricultural productivity and  production levels that are above the population growth rate;

2. Ensure food security at both national and household levels, and improve nutritional status;

3. Create and sustain viable livelihood and employment opportunities in rural areas;

4. Improve the profitability of agriculture and increase investment in agriculture;

5. Contribute towards the improvement of the balance of payments;

6. Expand vertical integration and domestic value-added for agricultural products;

7. Improve the living standards of farmers and their families, as well as farm workers;

8. Promote the sustainable utilization of the nation’s land and other natural resources; and

9. Contribute to balanced rural and regional development based on comparative advantage.

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Postal Address:  P.O. Box 287, Gobabis, Namibia
Tel:  (+264 62) 562 051
Fax: (+264 62) 562 842
Email: extgobal@iway.na / extomaheke@iway.na

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