The Namibian Agronomic Board hosted the National Agronomy and Horticulture Awards (NAHA) in recognition and celebration of the roles local farmers and stakeholders play in contributing to food security, agricultural growth, and broader sustainability.
The NAHAs were held for the first time in the Zambezi Region.
Zambezi Governor Dorothy Kabula said the awards, held under the theme "Unlocking the Potential of the Crop Sector Through Agroprocessing Innovation," are a call to farmers and stakeholders to explore and expand production through collaborative efforts.
"There is untapped potential in horticulture; with our fertile soil, abundant water and climate suited for tropical crops, Zambezi is well positioned to expand into fruits such as mangoes, avocados, bananas and pineapples because of its fertile soil."
The Chief Executive Officer for the Namibian Agronomic Board, Dr. Fidelis Mwazi, highlighted the significance of the theme and its relevance to increased and sustainable food production.
"We celebrate excellence, resilience, and innovation across the entire value chain. The theme of this year, Unlocking the Potential of the Crop Sector through Agroprocessing Innovation, challenges us to look beyond primary production and embrace transformative opportunities that value addition brings us."
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform urged Namibians to embrace innovation and agroprocessing as catalysts for food security, job creation, and industrialisation.
Agroprocessing, Inge Zaamwani said, has the potential to transform Namibia's economy from mainly raw commodity production to value-added industries, further stressing that the Sixth National Development Plan identifies agroprocessing as a central pillar of industrialisation, with clear targets to grow the sector's contribution to GDP from 7.5% to 10% by 2030.
"Agro processing is a game changer. By transforming maize into cereals, potatoes into frozen products, tomatoes into pastes, and fruits into juices, we extend shelf life, create rural industries, and keep wealth circulating within Namibia. In doing so, we also build export competitiveness and strengthen Namibia's brand in regional and global markets."
Chairperson of the Zambezi Regional Council, Matengu Simushi, appealed to the agriculture ministry to make use of the over 23,000 hectares of agricultural land availed by various tribal authorities across the region since 2011.
"Without agriculture, we will continue importing food commodities from South Africa. We need to be self-reliant. You have seen during Covid-19, it taught us to be self-reliant, not depending on other countries."
Over 28 awards, including prize money and certificates, were handed over under the agronomy, horticulture and master value chain categories.