The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) hosted the National Agronomy and Horticulture Awards (NAHA) 2025 at the Zambezi Waterfront in Katima Mulilo under the theme “Unlocking the Potential of the Crop Sector through Agro-processing Innovation.” The prestigious event brought together farmers, processors, traders, policymakers, traditional authorities, and development partners to celebrate excellence and spotlight agro-processing as the key to transforming Namibia’s crop sector.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Hon. Inge Zaamwani, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Rodrick Maswabi, Chief Agricultural Scientific Officer, emphasized agro-processing as central to Namibia’s development ambitions.
“The theme, Unlocking the Potential of the Crop Sector through Agro-processing Innovation, challenges us to move decisively from producing raw commodities to building competitive, value-added industries. This is not optional, it is essential for food security, economic diversification, and job creation,” he said
He further conveyed the Minister’s message that under NDP6, Namibia aims to grow the crop sector’s GDP contribution from 7.5% to 10% by 2030, cut post-harvest losses from 24% to 15%, and expand agro-processed products from N$1.5 billion to N$5 billion within five years.
Welcoming delegates, Hon. Dorothy Kabula, Governor of the Zambezi Region,
emphasized the region’s unique role in Namibia’s food systems:
“The Zambezi Region is a leading producer of pearl millet for commercial purposes, and our farmers produce between 3,000 and 7,000 tons of maize annually from dryland production. With fertile soils and abundant water, we are well positioned to expand into tropical fruits such as mango, avocado, banana, and pineapple, all of which hold vast agro-processing potential,” she said.
Mr. Hubertus Hamm, NAB Board Chairperson, reiterated the institution’s commitment to agro-processing through its Integrated Strategic Business Plan (2025–2030) and Crop Value Chain Development Strategy.
“We have committed N$250 million over the next five years to tackle post-harvest losses, strengthen market access, and boost food security. Namibia already produces N$4 billion worth of processed crop products, mainly grain products, yet imports over N$5 billion in processed products such as sugar, fruit & vegetable juices, tomato products, frozen/ dried fruit & vegetables, preserved fruits/ vegetables, nuts and vegetable oils. This gap is not a weakness, it is an opportunity,” Hamm said
NAB CEO Dr. Fidelis N. Mwazi urged stakeholders to seize the N$6.4 billion agro- processing opportunity through import substitution and innovation.
“Agro-processing contributes 70% to total manufacturing in Namibia. Yet we face a raw material (grains) shortage of 419,502 tons annually, worth N$2.4 billion, which is filled by imports to produce processed grain products such maize meal, instant porridge, wheat flour, pasta, noodles, bread, and pearl millet flour, while fruit and vegetable processing remains an untapped opportunity for localisation. Imagine the jobs and industries we can create if we localise production and value-addition,” he said.
Dr. Mwazi emphasized that innovation, technology adoption, and sustainable practices
are vital to making Namibia’s crop sector globally competitive.
Honouring Excellence: 2025 NAHA Winners
The 2025 edition of the awards recognised outstanding producers, processors, traders, exporters, service providers, and school gardens from across Namibia’s production zones.
Agronomy Awards:
| Category | Winner | Zone |
| Outstanding Pearl Millet Producer of the Year | Saltiel Iipinge | North Central |
| Emerging Pearl Millet Producer of the Year | Katrina M. Kagwe | North Central |
| Outstanding White Maize Producer of the Year | B2Gold Namibia | Karst |
| Emerging White Maize Producer of the Year | Charity Siseho | Kavango |
| Outstanding Wheat Producer of the Year | Uvhungu Vhungu Green Scheme Irrigation Project | Kavango |
| Emerging Wheat Producer of the Year | Ndonga Linena Green Scheme Irrigation Project | Kavango |
| Outstanding Innovator Producer of the Year | Abisai Shikongo | North Central |
| Outstanding Youth Producer of the Year | Kupferberg Farming CC | Karst |
| Outstanding Small-Scale Producer of the Year | Musipili Muchaka | Zambezi |
| Outstanding Agronomy Processor of the Year | Namib Mills Investment Group | Central |
| Emerging Agronomy Processor of the Year | Opoto Mills | North Central |
| Outstanding Agronomy Service Provider of the Year | LIKWAMA Regional Farmers Union (LRFU) | Zambezi |
Horticulture Awards
| Category | Winner | Zone |
| Outstanding Horticulture Producer of the Year | Derust Farm – Kalahari Holdings | Karst |
| Emerging Horticulture Producer of the Year | Poshgreen Investment CC | Karst |
| Outstanding Innovation Producer of the Year | AvaGro Namibia | Central |
| Emerging Innovator Producer of the Year | Daures Sixty-Five Agriculture Pty Ltd | Central |
| Outstanding Youth Producer of the Year | Chimati Farms | Central |
| Emerging Youth Producer of the Year | Mupopya Boerdery | North Central |
| Outstanding Horticulture Small-Scale Producer of the Year | Cosina Farm | Zambezi |
| Emerging Exporting Producer of the Year | Farm Burgerveld | Central |
| Outstanding Horticulture Trader of the Year | Freshco Fruit & Veg Traders CC | North Central |
| Emerging Horticulture Trader of the Year | Go Fresh (Pty) Ltd | Central |
| Outstanding Horticulture Service Provider of the Year | Agri Gro Namibia | Central |
| Emerging Horticulture Service Provider of the Year | Zambezi Vet & Livestock Farming CC | Zambezi |
| Outstanding School Garden of the Year (1st position) | Faustinus Haididira CS | Zambezi |
| Outstanding School Garden of the Year (2nd position) | Origo Primary School | Zambezi |
Master Crop Value Chain Actor of the Year
| Master Crop Value Chain Actor of the Year | Namib Mills Investment Group | Central |
| Emerging Master Crop Value Chain Actor of the Year | Namibian Fresh Produce Market | Central |
About the Namibian Agronomic Board
The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) is a statutory body established under the Agronomic Industry Act, Act 20 of 1992, tasked with regulating, promoting, and coordinating the production, processing, storage, and marketing of controlled agronomic crops in Namibia. NAB is dedicated to fostering a thriving agronomic industry through sustainable farming practices, enhanced market access, and the promotion of national food security.
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Issued By: Public Relations Officer: Liseli Mwilima Office of the Chief Executive Officer
PRO@nab.com.na / +264 6137 9516