A Namibia-China agricultural cooperation project has reached 2,351 beneficiaries through 79 training events, with women accounting for more than half of those trained. The project, implemented from September 2024 to December 2026, aims to strengthen farming skills and rural livelihoods. Deputy minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Ruthy Masake announced the figures during the official closure of Phase II of the China–FAO–Namibia South-South Cooperation Project in Windhoek.
The project deployed Chinese experts and technicians to work alongside Namibian counterparts at six duty stations. Masake said the project addressed challenges affecting the country’s agriculture and fisheries sectors, including poor soil conditions, limited access to quality certified seeds, low poultry productivity among smallholder farmers, skills shortages, and underdeveloped inland aquaculture. The training covered six priority areas: plant health, seed production, poultry production, animal husbandry, soil fertility and management, and aquaculture.
Of the 2,351 beneficiaries, 51.3% were women, 33.6% were young people, and 79.4% were farmers, reflecting the project’s focus on communities directly involved in agricultural production and rural livelihoods. A further 1,022 people participated in 32 practical demonstration activities, which allowed technical knowledge and experience to be shared beyond formal training sessions. This approach enabled the project to have a broader impact on the community.
The second phase of the project built on the foundation established during Phase I, which concluded four years ago. It sought to strengthen technical capacity and improve agricultural and fisheries production through the exchange of knowledge and practical experience between Chinese experts and Namibian officials. Masake said the cooperation demonstrated how international partnerships could be translated into practical interventions addressing the country’s development needs.
Masake acknowledged the role of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), describing the organisation as an important development partner to Namibia, particularly in supporting programmes in agriculture, water, and land. The FAO provided technical guidance and coordination for the project, which was funded by the Chinese government through the FAO–China South-South Cooperation Trust Fund.
Namibia and China maintain longstanding bilateral relations dating back to China’s support for Namibia’s liberation struggle. Masake said the country remained appreciative of that solidarity and called for the historical friendship to be translated into greater economic cooperation, agricultural development, technology transfer, and skills development. This would help to improve the livelihoods of Namibians and promote sustainable development.
Masake urged Namibia, China, and the FAO to continue working together to improve food security, agricultural productivity, fisheries and aquaculture development, and the resilience of rural communities. She expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and the FAO for their support and called for the experience gained to be used as a foundation for even stronger collaboration in the future.
Key points
- The project trained 2,351 people, mostly women, to enhance farming skills and rural livelihoods.
- The project addressed challenges affecting Namibia's agriculture and fisheries sectors, including poor soil conditions and limited access to quality certified seeds.
- The project demonstrated the importance of international partnerships in addressing development needs.
