Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry - Strategic Plan 2017/18-2021/22.

The Strategic Plan 2017/2018 – 2021/2022 articulated in this document is a guiding framework on which the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry’s (MAWF) development interventions seeking to respond to the aspirations and the needs of the stakeholders within the agriculture, water and forestry sectors will be based. The strategic plan is set to achieve the NDP 5 desired outcomes and the Namibia Harambee Prosperity Plan geared towards realizing the country’s Vision 2030.
This Strategic Plan is seen as the instrument to chart the contribution of MAWF towards the attainment of the objectives of HPP, NDP 5 in the short and medium-term and Vision 2030 in the long-term. This Strategic Plan will drive MAWF to live up to its Mandate and achieve its Vision and also serves as the road map to success, if fully implemented. The Plan will enable MAWF to provide targeted and enhanced services delivery at central, regional and local levels and contribute to a public sector that is accountable, transparent and professional. The Strategic Plan forms the basis of the broader Public Service reform initiatives in Namibia, especially within the context of public sector Performance Management System (PMS). MAWF embraces PMS as its vehicle to fulfil its mandate which is to promote, manage and utilize the agriculture, water and forestry resources sustainably. The Plan, therefore, is a basis for the effective implementation of the Performance Management System (PMS) through which Performance Agreements at individual/staff level are developed (pag. 2).
During the previous Strategic Plan period, the Ministry set a number of targets covering the following areas: Policy and Legislation; Sustainable Management and Utilization of Agriculture, Water, Sanitation and Forestry Resources; Agriculture Production; Marketing and Trade; Infrastructure Development; Performance Management and Operation Efficiency among others. The performance of MAWF has varied during the Strategic Plan period. This section outlines some of the key achievements and challenges experienced during the strategic period (pag. 2). The Vision Statement of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry defines what the Ministry wants to become and achieve through its ultimate goals and direction for its employees through the implementation of the Plan (pag. 5). Its Vision is: a recognized leading contributor to food and nutrition security, equitable access to agriculture, water and forestry resources and enhanced livelihoods. The Ministry’s purpose and primary objective is: to create an enabling environment and develop strategies, programmes and projects aimed at enhancing food and nutrition security and improving the livelihoods.
The Strategic Plan is divided in Themes/Pillars and related Strategic Objectives as follows: Sustainable livestock & Forest Management (Strategic Objectives: Ensuring optimal management and utilization of forest resources and Enhancing Animal health). Its first objective aims to promote and ensure sustainable development, production, management and utilization of agriculture and forest resources in order to contribute to food and nutrition security at both household and national level, employment creation and reduction of income inequality and enhancing resilience to natural disasters and climate change effects. Second objective would provide Veterinary services that are critical in terms of maintaining a healthy national herd with the view to increase animal production, reproduction and productivity as well as continue to work towards diseases freedom, especially in the NCAs. Sustainable Food production (Strategic Objectives: Ensuring food security and Promoting productivity & technology). The objectives aimed to increase productivity during the strategic period through the implementation of appropriate technologies e.g. Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture (CCA) and mechanization in order to ensure food security at both household and national level. Increasing the grain storage capacity to ensure the availability of food at all times. To strengthen agriculture, water and forestry research capacities for technology development and strengthen the coordination between research and advisory services to facilitate technology transfer. Value chain development and Market-oriented Infrastructure (Strategic Objectives: Promoting co-operative development and efficient agricultural marketing; increasing production and productivity in prioritized areas). The objectives aims to strengthen coordination of commodity value chain stakeholders and to enhance the participation of all stakeholders in the development of each commodity value chain. The strengthened coordination and enhanced participation of all stakeholders will, in turn, create a conducive environment for agro-business entrepreneurship development and facilitate market access (pag. 10).
Water and Sanitation Infrastructure (Strategic Objectives: Ensuring water security for human consumption, livestock and industry development; Improving water sustainable management and accessing to adequate sanitation facilities). The objectives aim to ensure efficient and sustainable management of water resources in the country as well as shared watercourses through assessment of their potential; protection from pollution and ensuring equitable access to transboundary water resources. The objectives will further develop and maintain strategic water and sanitation infrastructure as well as promoting and enhancing health and hygiene awareness.