Schlettwein slams import dependence

Schlettwein slams import dependenceAgriculture supports 70% of Namibian livelihoods Agriculture offers the best opportunities for economic recovery, the creation of productive and decent jobs and ensuring food self-sufficiency, according to agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein. ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



The time has come for Namibia to boost local production and self-sufficiency, as the country can no longer depend on imports.

This according to agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, who was speaking in the National Assembly during his budget motivation speech on Monday.

Schlettwein said agriculture offers the best opportunities for economic recovery, the creation of productive and decent jobs and ensuring food self-sufficiency.

While Namibia has thus far satisfied its need for food and other basic commodities through a policy which ensured that whatever was not produced locally was imported from elsewhere, he said the country could no longer depend on imports.

“The coronavirus pandemic and the erosion of multilateralism, coupled with populism, have brought about a situation wherein we cannot any longer rely on secure supplies of basic commodities from elsewhere,” he said.



Export bans

Schlettwein mentioned export bans on essential medicines and medical equipment as well as the closure of borders for food imports and other essential commodities as the common cause.

“We have entered an era of every country for themselves and hence we must pursue a policy aimed towards self-sufficiency. When in the past we could utilise revenue from exported surpluses to procure and compensate for production shortfalls, we must now utilise those proceeds to boost local production,” he said.

“Agriculture is our best chance; water and land our advantage.”

He added that agriculture remains a strategic sector as it supports the livelihoods of about 70% of the Namibian population and it is the biggest employer with about 167 242 individuals (90 076 men and 77 166 women), or 15.3% of the total Namibian workforce, according to 2018 statistics.



Investment decline

Schlettwein said public and private investment in the agricultural sector has been on a declining trajectory, having dropped from an average of 4.6% 10 years ago, to 3.6% now.

“Of course, we understand the tough choices we have to make, but at the same time, we sincerely hope that going forward allocations to this lifegiving and livelihood-providing sector will be improved.” According to him, a total budget of more than N$2.266 billion has been allocated to the ministry for the 2020/21 financial year. Of this total, more than N$1.337 billion is allocated towards agriculture and land reform and more than N$929 million to water, inclusive of N$80 million for a water subsidy for the coronavirus pandemic.