Namibian Agriculture Marketing and Trade Policy and Strategy.

This Agriculture Marketing and Trade Policy and Strategy is a nationwide sectoral document aiming at improving Namibia’s agricultural marketing and trade in the domestic and international markets that would result in the country reaping maximum benefits to achieve the objectives of Vision 2030. The overall goal shall be achieved by (i) promoting a culture where consumers will opt for Namibian originating agriculture products over foreign products in both domestic and international markets; (ii) guaranteeing that the products are of exceptional quality and comply with international standards; and (iii) ensuring that they are visible and accessible to the consumers. Consequently, it is necessary to ensure that all agricultural and agro-industrial products, both imports and Namibian originating products, destined for the domestic market meet the set minimum quality, technical regulations, standards and food safety requirements. For the purpose of this document, agriculture-related industries are understood to include sectors related to (i) inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pesticide, and agricultural machinery; (ii) processing and manufacturing; (iii) transportation, storage, retailing; and (iv) service and information such as finance, administration, and research and development.
In general, the domestic agricultural marketing policy objectives are to (i) promote the marketing of Namibian originating produce in the domestic market; (ii) increase the share of Namibian originating produce in the domestic market; (iii) promote transparency of the domestic marketing systems for the products; (iv) increase the value of the agriculture sector’s contribution to GDP; (v) stimulate the sustainable development of downstream agro-industrial activities; (vi) promote, support and improve the competitiveness of Namibian agricultural and agro-industrial produce in the domestic market; and (vii) promote the development of an efficient and effective domestic marketing system. The aforementioned objectives also apply to the following agricultural sub-sectors (1) livestock and meat industry; and (2) cereal and horticulture industry.
As for the trade, the Policy proposes objectives to be achieved regarding both the import and export of agricultural products. To safeguard the interest of the domestic industry taking into account the need for self-sustenance, Government mainly shall (i) negotiate appropriate trade agreements; (ii) intensify the monitoring and detection of unfair trade practices; (iii) utilize the infant industry protection measures; and (iv) improve the enforcement of domestic regulations. In order to increase the export of agricultural products, Government shall (i) promote diversification of export markets and improve market access for processed agricultural products; (ii) conduct market research and product promotion; (iii) maintain an appropriate export management regime, especially for products designated as controlled products; and (iv) negotiate market access agreements for meat products.
To help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, the Government envisages (i) a secure domestic market for Namibian originating agricultural and agro-industrial products; and (ii) promote the development of the necessary legal, physical and logistical infrastructure.
In order to make agriculture more productive and sustainable, main interventions shall (i) promote value addition to diversify the product range; and (ii) develop, promote, maintain and improve, where appropriate, sanitary requirements and ensure compliance with standards and quality of livestock and livestock products.
More inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems will be enabled through (i) incentives in the form of marketing infrastructure development, promotion of ancillary services, tax based incentives and infant industry protection in order to kick-start, develop and sustain the downstream agricultural and related industries; (ii) development of linkages between agriculture production and processing industries with a view to increase surplus for exports; (iii) participation of livestock farmers in the formal agricultural market; (iv) tailor-made marketing infrastructure and services to reduce transaction costs, increase access to information and increase participation in the formal market; (v) development of domestic livestock and livestock products markets to promote local consumption of locally originating meat and meat products; and (vi) an effective marketing framework and infrastructure for food and fresh produce to support producers, especially small scale and subsistence farmers in particular and rural areas in general.
As for the Governance, the implementation of the strategies under this Policy is expected to be a concerted effort by a host of role players within the Government, private sector and civil society as well as with the support of the international cooperating partners, all under the coordination and supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. A mechanism for the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the policy implementation shall have to be devised.