President Netumb Nandi-Ndaitwah stated that the theme for this year's Omaludi Festival and Agricultural Show aligns closely with the government's development priorities and the goals outlined in the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6)

This year's theme is "Agriculture and Tourism for Sustainable Economic Growth".

Dr Nandi-Ndaitwah, in her capacity as patron, delivered remarks during the official inauguration of the Omaludi Festival and Agricultural Show held in Okongo.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah says agriculture and tourism share a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship, especially in promoting economic opportunities for local communities.

"Through events such as these, we preserve our cultural identity while simultaneously creating economic opportunities for local communities. Festivals of this nature stimulate economic activity across multiple sectors, including accommodation establishments, transport operators, caterers, vendors, exhibitors, and small businesses." 

Dr Nandi-Ndaitwah says the festival comes at a time when Namibia is positioning itself for greater economic transformation through opportunities emerging in sectors such as agriculture and energy.

"The Eighth Administration has identified agriculture as one of the key priority sectors due to its central role in food security, employment creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. At the same time, we must continue to have honest conversations about the future of agriculture in Namibia, particularly in the Northern Communal Areas."

Nandi-Ndaitwah also called for the empowerment of communal farming systems by providing farmers with infrastructure, technology, financing, veterinary support, and market access to help transition from subsistence farming to commercially sustainable agriculture.

The president further announced that the government will strengthen and revive green scheme projects across the country to ensure Namibia becomes self-sufficient in food production.