The agriculture sector remains the backbone of the country's economy amid challenges posed by climate change. 

Head of the Directorate of Agriculture Production, Extension and Engineering Service in ||Kharas Region, Nelson Ngarizemo, made the remarks during a consultative engagement with the livestock sector's stakeholders.

The two-day engagement held in Keetmanshoop brought together farmers, meat processors, and representatives of farmers' unions, associations and traders from ||Kharas Region to provide their input on the draft Livestock Marketing Strategy. 

The strategy aims to address challenges in the livestock sector and to enhance sustainable market access for farmers. 

"The agriculture sector is providing livelihoods to about 75% of the population, and the total GDP is 6% on average; it is not exact."

The Division of AgroTrade and Business Development within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform facilitated the consultative engagement.

Matheus Ndjodhi is the Chief Agribusiness Analyst at the ministry. He said, "I think what stakeholders are saying is that we really need to engage the people or the stakeholders on the ground so that we get accurate data that would really inform the decision-making process when it comes to the interventions that are required to address the challenges that are currently being experienced when it comes to the marketing of livestock and livestock products in the country."

The participants expressed their concerns about the low local prices, which compel farmers to export their livestock directly.