Third National Development Plan (NDP3).

The Third National Development Plan (NDP3) is a national cross-sectoral plan of the Republic of Namibia for the period 2007/2008-2011/2012. Its main objectives include increasing access to productive assets such as land and capital; effective implementation of land reform and increase incomes of resettled farmers; increasing employment opportunities through promotion of rapid economic growth; proclaiming more new towns to promote local and foreign investment and expand employment opportunities; enhancing enabling environment in existent towns to expand employment opportunities; effective implementation of formula based resource allocations to regions; increasing investment in education and human resource development; ensuring equitable public service delivery aimed at raising the standard of living of the rural, and peri-urban populations; and implementing progressive taxation including land tax.
In the field of environment, the document’s goal is to have improved condition of natural resources and biodiversity throughout Namibia’s different vegetation and habitats by managing protected areas, habitats and species; incorporating awareness action into environment projects and programmes; increasing water and energy efficiency; promoting cleaner production; improving waste and urban environmental management; and promoting policy formation, research, planning and regulation.
In the area of agricultural development, NDP3 plans, among others, to promote the adoption of appropriate integrated plant nutrition, pest and disease management options; create an appropriate environment for improved production and marketing for sustained long-term production of crops/plants; create the enabling environment for cultivation of indigenous plant resources; improve the production systems of both communal and commercial farmers; halt and reverse soil erosion and nutrient depletion, including through enabling policies and legislation; promote the use of soil fertility enhancement technologies; and develop new virgin lands. In addition, the document also aims for sustainable livestock improvement including through optimal and sustainable utilisation of rangeland; community and other stakeholders involved in sustainable management and utilisation of forest resources; using forest research information to increase benefits from forest resources; improving law enforcement to control illegal harvesting; promoting aquaculture and ensure responsible aquaculture production practices; undertaking research to enhance aquaculture development; strengthening fish market research; creating incentives to rights holders that increase value addition to Namibia’s fish products; encouraging entrepreneurship and investment in fishery resources; and safeguarding genetic biodiversity. The document also covers the area of water management. In this area, it aims to promote integrated water resources management; harmonise policies, legislation, and regulations regarding water resources management; approve laws that will enable the government to subsidise water to the needy. Equally, the document pertains to land management targeting to strengthen compulsory land acquisition (expropriation principle).
The document also notes about disaster preparedness – providing for the need of a strong climate change strategy in place with Namibia prepared for managing the predicted impacts, especially those that affect the Namibians living in rural areas; improving adaptation to climate change and mitigation efforts as well as pest and erosion control.
NDP3 will be implemented through its programmes. Namely, each of these programmes in the public sector will comprise one or more activities/projects. These will be implemented by one or more institutions (parastatals, regional councils, donors, civic organisations and private entities). From among the institutions, a responsible entity or Regional Council will be identified by the thematic working groups as the coordinating (programme) implementing institution based on its overall contribution to the programme. The institution will coordinate the implementation of all activities/projects under the programme and will also coordinate the preparation of annual budgets for the programme output(s) with attention to proper sequencing of the activities/projects. The programme budgets will include all funding from the Government and parastatals as well as the development partners. Each quarter, the institution will monitor and report on progress on implementation of the programme.