Auleria Wakudumo 

ONIIPA – Deputy agriculture minister Ruthy Masake has urged young Namibians to move beyond traditional farming practices and embrace modern, value-driven agriculture as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and economic growth. 

Speaking during the agri-youth engagement held at Oniipa recently, Masake said the future of agriculture, fisheries, water security and land reform rests firmly in the hands of young Namibians. 

“Young people are not meant to be spectators or passive recipients of support. They are active partners and leaders in transforming our economy,” she said. 

She highlighted that the Oshikoto region is well positioned to lead agricultural transformation due to its fertile soils, strong farming traditions and growing potential in horticulture, livestock production, agro-processing and climate-resilient farming systems. 

Masake then outlined opportunities under the National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), launched in September 2025, which offers collateral-free loans at low interest rates through AgriBank, Development Bank of Namibia and Environmental Investment Fund. 

The fund prioritises agriculture, agro-processing, poultry, horticulture and other climate-smart enterprises, with applications open year-round. 

She encouraged young people to prepare strong business plans and register cooperatives or enterprises to fully benefit from the support. 

Amongst those in attendance was Swapo legislator and poultry farmer Willem Amutenya. 

Amutenya stressed that engaging youth in agriculture must go beyond traditional farming methods and focus on economic returns. 

He emphasised the need to economise and commercialise production on communal land, stating that value addition should start at the grassroots level and not only on commercial farms. Amutenya noted that the value-addition agenda frequently championed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah must include communal farming areas. 

“We need to add value to our traditional food such as Omahangu, beans, sorghum and other traditional food,” he said. 

Amutenya further called for the identification of reliable markets for produce from the four northern regions, warning that production without market access limits profitability and discourages youth participation. 

“Our northern regions must know where their produce is going. Identifying markets is key if agriculture is to become a sustainable livelihood for our youth,” he said. 

– awakudumo@nepc.com.na