Animal science is central to Namibia’s food security, rural livelihoods, and economic resilience. The livestock sector alone accounts for a substantial share of national output, and according to the Namibian Meat and Livestock Industry Annual Report of 2022/2023, livestock contributed approximately 47% to agriculture’s share of GDP, translating to about 2% of Namibia’s total real GDP in 2022. 

Given this contribution, the quality of training provided to future professionals in the sector should be a national priority.

However, many students’ pursuing animal science are increasingly struggling to secure meaningful and industry-relevant attachment placements. This challenge raises serious concerns about graduate preparedness and the long-term sustainability of Namibia’s livestock sector. 

As a result, students are increasingly questioning their future employability when practical training opportunities remain so limited.

A key issue lies in the limited availability of well-equipped livestock training facilities. While recent government efforts have largely focused on reviving green schemes to support crop production, comparatively little investment has been directed toward livestock training infrastructure. 

This imbalance is concerning, particularly given the economic and social importance of livestock production across both communal and commercial farming systems.

Namibia has Livestock Development Centres, notably the Oshaambelo Livestock Development Centre and the Okapya Livestock Development Centre, which are expected to play a vital role in skills development and student training.

Yet, these centres remain under-equipped and are currently unable to offer the comprehensive practical exposure expected of animal science graduates. In late 2023, reports indicated that the Okapya Livestock Development Centre would be upgraded to implement advanced practices, including artificial insemination.

To date, however, there has been limited public information regarding the progress or implementation of these upgrades.
A little hope is emerging from the feedlot currently under construction at Etunda, which presents a potential opportunity to enhance practical training and industry exposure for animal science students. If completed on schedule and deliberately integrated into academic training programmes, this facility could play a meaningful role in addressing existing capacity gaps.

However, consistent implementation, transparency, and clear collaboration with training institutions will be essential to ensure that this initiative translates into tangible learning outcomes rather than remaining an isolated infrastructure project.

At present, only a limited number of private companies, such as Feedmaster, Namib Dairies, and Mariental Piggery, can offer structured, high-quality attachment opportunities. 

Due to capacity constraints, many students are unable to access these placements and are therefore compelled to complete their attachments at veterinary hospitals. 

While veterinary exposure is valuable, it does not fully align with the core competencies of animal acience, which include animal nutrition, breeding and genetics, production systems, feed formulation, farm management, and performance evaluation.

This mismatch in training environments may limit students’ professional development and reduce their readiness to contribute effectively to livestock production and agribusiness. Addressing this gap is important not only for students but also for the sustainability and competitiveness of Namibia’s livestock industry.

If left unaddressed, this situation has broader implications beyond the student body. A poorly trained skills pipeline ultimately affects livestock productivity, innovation, and competitiveness, undermining national development goals linked to food security and economic growth. 

Therefore, this is  not merely an academic concern, but a matter of public interest. There is an urgent need for coordinated action between the government, academic institutions, and industry stakeholders. 

Revitalising and properly equipping Livestock Development Centres, ensuring accountability in announced infrastructure upgrades, expanding partnerships with commercial farms, and incentivising industry participation in student training would significantly strengthen practical education outcomes.

As a student and future professional in agriculture, I am eager to contribute meaningfully to Namibia’s livestock sector. However, this will only be possible if training systems are aligned with industry realities. 

Investing in animal science practical training today is an investment in Namibia’s long-term food security, economic resilience, and sustainable agricultural development.

*Eino N. Hailaula is an agriculturalist who is currently specialising in animal science at the University of Namibia (UNAM).