Agriculture in Namibia

Despite the arid climate, agriculture in Namibia supports over 70% of the country’s population and makes up about 5% of the GDP. Commercial agriculture covers about 44% of the total land though it only supports 10% of the population whereas the communal sector (mostly subsistence farming) covers 41% of the land and supports about 60% of the population. In the central and northern regions cattle grazing is common while the arid southern regions most often have sheep and goats. Only 2% of Namibia receives enough rain to grow crops and irrigation is made difficult by ephemeral rivers that only flow following heavy rain. The Green Scheme Project is an initiative designed to develop irrigation within areas of Namibia and promote agricultural projects in the south using the Orange River.

Unfortunately, a 2012/2013 estimate showed that an estimated 330,925 people are still food insecure. The high poverty rate, inequality, and HIV/AIDS all contribute to food insecurity and under-nourishment. In rural areas chronic drought and water shortages, soil erosion and degradation, isolation from markets, and restrictions on women to access land and resources also contribute to food insecurity. Hopefully continued development of sustainable farming techniques in Namibia can improve agricultural productivity and decrease food insecurity without huge impacts to the environment.

-Laura Spielman

http://www.fao.org/namibia/fao-in-namibia/namibia-at-a-glance/en/