There has been a significant contribution from the agriculture sector to Gross Domestic Product over the past years.

This was said by the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein when he addressed his staff and stakeholders.

"The current developments show moderate growth in the agriculture sector. Our GDP contribution is now estimated to be 3.6%. Two years back it was dropping."

Schlettwein described this as an achievement for a sector that is still under-resourced and hard hit by the drought, COVID-19 as well as natural disasters and the outbreak of pests.

Schleittwein also spoke about land reform in Namibia.

"What we have not done well in the past in my belief is to ensure that the productivity is maintained on that land that we share with the previous disadvantaged. We have not given enough support or put enough emphasis on the productivity that land must bring about."

The Agriculture Minister criticized Meatco for allegedly having failed farmers, despite the company managing the biggest abattoir.

"Meatco is still in the ICU. There comes a time when we have to take a decision and it will be a hard decision, whether these resources that we are putting into that limping organization are well spent or whether we should use some of them at least to support farmers."

Schlettwein also expressed concern about the poor sanitation in the country, particularly the provision of adequate sewage disposal.

"Our capital city has lost the ability to manage sewerage well. A dam that we use for freshwater supply, the Goreangab Dam, is now a large sewerage pond. A pond that spills into the Swakoppoort Dam. We are busy messing up very crucial freshwater resources."

In his address, Schlettwein further stressed the importance of improving operational efficiency and intersectoral coordination saying it is the only way for the ministry to improve food-self-sufficiency and water.

"The going is tough and we must understand that the going will remain tough for the near future but that cannot be a hampering block towards achieving our goals."