Namibia’s first Annual Agriculture Investment Conference and Expo aims to attract between N$1 billion and N$10 billion in private investment in the agriculture sector each year.
The conference will take place on 19 and 20 October at the Windhoek International Conference Centre.
It will be held under the theme ‘Consolidating and Unlocking Opportunities in the Agriculture Sector for Sustainable Food Security’.
“Furthermore, it is our long-term vision to secure between N$1 billion to N$10 billion in private sector funding per annum in the agriculture sector over the next 36 years,” says conference director Tonata Shiimi.
The organisers believe more investment could help Namibia reduce its dependence on imported agricultural products.
They estimate that the country could cut its agricultural import bill by at least 50% and keep more than N$2 billion a year in the local economy.
Shiimi believes increased investment across the agricultural value chain could create jobs and improve livelihoods.
Shiimi says the conference aims to attract investment, promote locally produced agricultural products and encourage more Namibians to take part in the sector.
He says the conference will also connect farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs with investors and create a platform to discuss opportunities in the sector.
Discussions will focus on the funding gap in agriculture, Namibia’s dependence on agricultural imports, water security and the participation of young people and women in the sector.
Participants will also discuss the role of financial institutions, local and traditional authorities, ways to improve green schemes and how Namibia could become a net agricultural exporter over the next 30 to 40 years.
The conference will also give agricultural entrepreneurs an opportunity to pitch their projects to local and international investors.
Shiimi says the sessions will help project promoters understand what investors are looking for and prepare projects that are ready for investment.
Confirmed stakeholders include the Agricultural Bank of Namibia, Agronomic Board of Namibia, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and Government Institutions Pension Fund.
Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani is expected to deliver the keynote address on behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
