Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry

Private Bag 13184, Windhoek, Tel. +264-61-208-7111 Fax. +264-61-229-961

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry manages and utilizes water and agricultural resources to achieve sound socio-economic development. Based on the National Development Plan  (NDP1), the ministry adopted the following objectives: 

1.      to facilitate the empowerment of communities to manage their agricultural resources in a sustainable way;

2.      to ensure progressive improvement in households food security and nutrition;

3.      to ensure access to reliable water supply of an appropriate standard for households and  other economic uses;  

4.      to continuously improve the capacity of the ministry to best serve its customers efficiently and in a cost effective manner;

5.      to assist and advise on the land reform process; and

6.      to improve agricultural income.

The ministry comprises two departments, namely, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Water Affairs. Head offices of both departments are located in the capital, while five technical directorates are well-represented in all thirteen regions.

The five directorates of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are responsible for the following areas:

1. animal health;

2. agricultural research and training;

3. agricultural extension and engineering;

4.planning and policy, and

5. administration.

In line with the national policy of outsourcing, six agencies resort under the department. The Karakul Board of Namibia, Meat Board of Namibia, Livestock Improvement Board and the Namibian Agronomic Board are responsible for promoting their industries. The Meat Corporation of Namibia is empowered to operate abattoirs and to sell Namibian meat. The Veterinary Council is the official authority registering professional veterinary practitioners. The Agricultural Department of the Namibia Development Corporation is technically seen as an agency initiating and developing agricultural projects.

As described in the National Agricultural Policy, overall goal of the ministry is to increase and sustain levels of agricultural productivity, real farm incomes and national and household food security within the context of the country’s fragile ecosystem. 

To reach this goal, however, and to ensure that the majority of Namibians enjoy improvements in their standard and quality of living, the ministry has been and will continue to work towards achieving the following strategic objectives:

1. Attain growth rates and stability in farm incomes, agricultural productivity and  production levels that are above the population growth rate;
2. Ensure food security at both national and household levels, and improve nutritional status;
3. Create and sustain viable livelihood and employment opportunities in rural areas;
4. Improve the profitability of agriculture and increase investment in agriculture;
5. Contribute towards the improvement of the balance of payments;
6. Expand vertical integration and domestic value-added for agricultural products;
7. Improve the living standards of farmers and their families, as well as farm workers;
8. Promote the sustainable utilization of the nation’s land and other natural resources; and
9. Contribute to balanced rural and regional development based on comparative advantage.

The Department of Water Affairs is made up of two directorates: the Directorate of Resource Management and the Directorate of Rural Water Supply. Several specialist divisions undertake the functions and objectives of the department. The Namibia Water Corporation is the only parastatal associated with the department and is responsible for bulk water supply.

Broad sectoral objectives, as stipulated in the Water and Sanitation Policy of 1993, are:

1. Essential water supply and sanitation services should become available to all Namibians, and should be accessible at a cost which is affordable to the country as a whole.
2. This equitable improvement of services should be achieved by the combined efforts of the government and the beneficiaries, based on community involvement, community  participation and the acceptance of mutual responsibility.
3. Communities should have the right, with due regard for environmental needs and the resources available, to determine which solutions and service levels are acceptable to them. Beneficiaries should contribute towards the cost of services at increasing rates for standards of living exceeding the levels required for providing basic needs.

This directorate is charged with the following objectives and functions:

1. Assist the Government in the overall management of the national water resources;

2. To remain the guardian over the water resources of Namibia;

3. Assume responsibility for and implement measures to ensure the protection and sustainable utilization of the water resources of the country;

4. Control water abstraction and decide on the equitable allocation of water resources;

5. Be responsible for the regulation, planning and control of the water sector.

The Directorate of Rural Water Supply (DRWS) is charged with the task of supplying clean water to the communal areas of Namibia and achieving the goals laid down in the First National Development Plan of 1995. The objectives of DRWS are summarized in their mission statement.

1. By the year 2007, to achieve complete community-based management of the water-points, and 80% coverage of rural water supply for the whole of Namibia.

2. Users should not have to wait longer than 30 minutes for water.

3. Access is defined as having an improved water source within 2.5kms of the home.

4. Community based management of all communal water points has been chosen as the strategy for achieving there targets in a sustainable manner. By the year 2007 DRWS aims to have all water points under the decentralized control of local communities. It is in this way that cost recovery of rural water supply, as stipulated in the Water and Sanitation Policy of 1993, will be achieved.

1. The objectives of NamWater are stipulated in the NamWater Act of 1997:

2. To carry out efficiently and in the best interests of the Republic of Namibia:

3. The primary business of bulk water supply to customers, in sufficient quantities, of a quality suitable for the customers’ purposes, and by cost-effective, environmentally sound and sustainable means; and

4. The secondary business of rendering water related services, supplying facilities and granting rights to customers upon their request

Bulk water supply has been under the control of the Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) since 1998. NamWater’s responsibilities are directed by the NamWater Act of 1997. The most important aspects of the Act are that NamWater:

• be managed on a full cost recovery basis (operations, maintenance and capital costs),

• manage the water resources of Namibia in a sustainable manner, and

• provide water at a cost that is affordable to the consumer.

Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

The principal goal of the agricultural sector, as detailed in the First National Development Plan (NDP1), has been to bring about continued growth in agricultural incomes across the broadest possible socio-economics base in a sustainable manner. The government believes that the realization of this goal will provide a secure foundation for equitable growth throughout the country  since investment in agriculture reverberates across the whole economy, generating more income and employment.

Throughout the plan period, agriculture has remained an important sector of the economy. It was the fifth largest contributor to GDP in 1998 with a contribution of 9.1% to total GDP after producers of government services (26.6%), manufacturing (16.4%), mining and quarrying (12.6%) and finance, real estate and business services (10.1%). In the five most recent series dating from 1994-1998, it contributed an average of 8.2% to Gross Domestic Products, GDP, at current prices. However, the contribution agriculture is making to rural livelihoods is much more significant than this figure might suggest. Results of the 1994 Household Income and Expenditure Survey indicate that subsistence farming provides the principal source of income to 35% of all households in the country.

The sector also continues to make an important contribution to the country's export earnings of which live animals, meat and meat products are the greatest contributors. In recent years, other products, such as, grapes and cotton have also started to play a very important role in export earnings.

However, the real rate of increase in output from the sector since 1990 has been sluggish, only slightly higher than the increase in population recorded over the same period. Much of this can be attributed to below average rainfall experienced over many parts of the country in 1995/96 and, in particular, during the 1995/96 season. The 1996 drought was one of the worst on record and, as a result, thousands of livestock died from thirst and starvation and also because their susceptibility to disease increased. Allied to these losses which were spread over the entire country was a significant increase in the number of livestock marketed as they could no longer be maintained on the range. At the same time, the low rainfall totals resulted in the average carcass weight of cattle slaughtered falling by 5%. However, the situation has improved since 1996. There has been a 10.2% increase in stocks of farmers for cattle between 1996 to 1998 but a 4.7% decrease in the number of smallstock for the same period. There has been an average of 3.7% increase per annum between 1990 and 1998 in the marketing of cattle and an average of 2.3% per annum increase in the marketing of smallstock during the same period. 

The year 1997 showed a very low number of marketed livestock due to the restocking exercise as farmers sought to re-build their herds. This can be seen from the data for 1997 which show that the number of cattle marketed dropped from 497 963 in 1996 to 226 775 in 1997 -- a reduction of almost 55%. Data for small stock show the same trend with 953 665 marketed in 1997 against the 1 059 434 in 1996.

Similarly, total cereal production has been strongly influenced by rainfall patterns during the past nine years, having averaged 87 874 tonnes for the period 1990-1998. In 1992, a total of 33 815 tonnes of grain was produced against 172 934 tonnes in 1997. Although this has been a record harvest, it met only 62% of the country's grain requirement for the 1997/98 marketing year.

Impact of these changes on production is reflected in the national account, which shows an average increase in sectoral GDP of approximately 16% per annum between 1990 and 1996. This, however, gives a distorted picture. Sectoral GDP fell by 27% between 1991 and 1992 and increased by 38% between 1996 and 1997. This can almost be wholly attributed to the destocking exercise in the private tenure farming areas after the 1996 drought.

The government's agricultural strategy has developed rapidly since independence, but most particularly since the adoption of the National Agricultural Policy in 1995. Two separate changes, in particular, have taken place since the start of the plan period. Firstly, on grounds of both equity and efficiency, the provision of government services to farmers, hitherto limited to those in the private-tenure farming areas, has been extended more widely to producers in communal tenure areas. Secondly, the scope, management and delivery mechanisms of public sector activities in the communal tenure areas are being reoriented from being directive and subsidized to being responsive and cost covering.

The first change, the broadening of government services to producers in the communal-tenure areas, has involved a reorientation in research, extension, veterinary services, training and credit service provision. This reorientation is expected to make public investments supporting farmers both more equitable and more efficient. Because of previous neglect, potential for productivity gains is the greatest in the communal-tenure areas. Improvements in technology, inputs and knowledge for the communal-tenure sub-sector will increase returns to labour and have a positive impact on both household incomes and food security for the poorest sections of rural society. Although potential for productivity gains in this sub-sector clearly exists, support will need to be sustained over a long period of time for the potential benefits to be fully realized. The second change involving the method of delivery services  is expected to result in a development process which is more inclusive of the private sector (both farmers and service providers) and, therefore, more sustainable.

Over the past nine years the Department of Water Affairs has managed to improve water supply service to at least 300 000 people by developing boreholes, and creating some 900 water points. More than 800km of pipelines and water points were constructed at a capital cost in excess of N$50 million. 

Other achievements include the creation of new water sector institutions, the establishment of commissions on international water resources, and the completion and commencement of investigations, projects and management initiatives for improved functioning of the water sector

New Water Sector Institutions

In 1995, Cabinet approved the establishment of the Namibia Water Corporation Limited (NamWater), a parastatal responsible for the commercial operation of bulk water supply in Namibia. In October 1997, the NamWater Act was promulgated in order to “establish the Namibia Water Corporation Limited, to regulate its powers, duties and functions, to provide for more efficient use and control of water resources, and to provide for incidental matters.”

On 1 April 1997, NamWater commenced its business activities, officially coming into existence on 1 April 1998 after the promulgation of the NamWater Act. Under Section 7 of the Act, NamWater has the power to base its tariffs on a full cost recovery basis.

Table 1: Weighted average of existing and full cost NamWater tariffs

Source: Government Gazette, No. 1883, and NamWater Finance Division correspondence.

* Definition of full cost has changed over the years. The Table uses the weighted average tariffs derived from the gazetted tariff schedule for 1997/8, 1996/7 and 1995/6. For 1998/99 and 1999/2000 tariffs have been quoted from the Fnance Division at NamWater, with that for 1999/2000 being a 10% increase on N$2.41 for 1998/99.

Since 1997, bulk water tariffs have been successively raised in order to achieve the target of cost recovery. Success of this policy is illustrated by Table 1 that indicates the extent to which NamWater has achieved this target. The near achievement of full cost recovery indicates that financial involvement of the government in the bulk water sector is being reduced, releasing valuable and scarce funds for other national concerns. The introduction of full cost recovery for bulk water supply will also have beneficial effects on the efficiency of water usage, financial sustainability of the water sector and environmental sustainability of Namibia’s scarce water resources.

The Community Based Management Strategy commenced in earnest in 1997. It represents a decentralized participatory approach to ensuring the sustainable and efficient supply of water to rural communal areas of Namibia. NDP 1 and the directorate’s target of ensuring that 80% of the rural population has access to improved water supply by 2007 is seemingly on target. Table 2 indicates the best available estimates of the percentage of the population with access to water in rural areas.

Table 2: Access to improved water supply in rural areas

Source: NDP1 1990, SIAPAC 1996, UNHDR 1998.

Furthermore, the number of established Water Point Committees (WPCs) in the communal areas of Namibia indicates that community based management strategy is being implemented successfully in many regions. Table 3 shows the current percentage of coverage by WPCs in the communal areas of Namibia. 

Table 3: Numbers of regional Water Point Committees, 1997/98

This table is based on rural water supply quarterly reports and information gathered on the field trips. Data for Hardarp, Otjozondjupa and Erongo regions is unavailable at present.

It has been estimated that over 500 water point committees have been fully trained in the Caprivi and Cuvelai regions. Nationally, it has been estimated that there are over 1000 fully trained water point committees.

The directorate is also responsible for assisting rural communities at about 4000-6000 water supply installations. The improvement and upgrading of about 3500 existing rural water installations are major challenges for the future while the extension of piped rural water supply schemes in those areas where groundwater is not suitable for human consumption is critical.

As part of the WASP recommendations, an investigation into the establishment of a Water Supply and Sanitation coordinating Committees (WASCO) was proposed. Its objective was to provide a forum for water sector co-ordination in Namibia. After the required investigations were done, the establishment of WASCO was approved by Cabinet on 25 January 1995.

The perennial rivers of Namibia are a crucial water resource and their sustainable and judicious use requires agreements between all the basin states due to their trans-boundary and shared nature. In this respect, Namibia has made great strides forward in becoming party to many agreements and initiatives with neighboring and/or basin states since 1990, thereby helping to ensure the continued equitable and reasonable use of these shared resources. 

In addition to Namibia being a signatory to the Helsinki Rules on Shared Rivers, and the United Nations Convention on the Law of Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses, examples of agreements and commissions on shared rivers that have been established since 1990 include the following:

 Permanent Joint Technical Commission on the Cunene River: The Permanent Joint Technical Commission between Angola and Namibia was established in 1990 at the same time as the agreement of co-operation between the two countries. The agreement is strongly related to the development of the Epupa hydropower scheme. At the same time, the Joint Operating Authority (JOA) between Angola and Namibia was reinstated. The JOA secures agreement on the regulation of the Gove Dam which influences the water available to Namibia from the Calueque Dam, and the water available for the current Ruacana hydropower scheme.

Permanent Water Commission Between Botswana and Namibia: This commission, established in 1990, deals with the utilisation of water resources from the Kwando-Linyanti-Chobe, the Zambezi and the Okavango rivers, all of which are shared by Namibia and Botswana

Permanent Water Commission on the Orange River: This commission was established in 1992 to deal with all matters of mutual concern between South Africa and Namibia. Since the reintegration of Walvis Bay into Namibia, the commission has concentrated on the judicious and equitable use of water from the Orange River. Preparation for the Orange River Commission involving all the basin states (Botswana and Lesotho included) has commenced.

Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM): This tripartite commission was established in 1994 in order to encourage the sustainable management of the Okavango River Basin. This is of particular interest to Namibia for whom the Okavango River provides potential for increased water supply to the central areas of Namibia, including Windhoek.

SADC Protocol on Shared Watercourses: The SADC Protocol on shared watercourses was signed in 1995. The protocol outlines the guidelines for the usage of water from shared watercourses in the SADC countries. The guidelines cover issues ranging from equitable and reasonable usage of water to the responsibilities to inform basin states about environmental and other changes in water usage. This protocol has been one of the main reference points for Namibia’s negotiations with other basin states on the usage of water from shared rivers. 

In sum, and considering Namibia’s participation in the SADC Zambezi Action Plan, a water commission consisting of basin states oversees all of the shared perennial border rivers. Although not all of the border rivers are subject to an agreement on the allowable abstraction, the creation of forums for negotiation is the first step to securing equitable water rights for Namibia and ensuring the sustainable utilisation of these shared resources.

In 1996, the Prime Minister requested support from the World Bank for the development of water resources in Namibia. 1998 saw the launch of the Namibia Water Resources Management Review funded by GTZ, the World Bank and UNDP. Immediate objectives of the review are to 

examine current water resources management practices; define the issues and evaluate the impact of water resource allocation, water use and waste water disposal practices; and propose policies, institutional arrangements, planning, monitoring and enforcement processes which will:

1.         provide for the equitable allocation of water resources,

2.         ensure the environmental sustainability of water use and re-use,

3.         support long-term social and economic development of Namibia, 

4.         ensure full participation of the stakeholders, and

5.         develop and strengthen capacity of Namibia to manage its scarce water

                resources.

So far, the review has conducted an analysis of the current situation and has identified key issues in each of the themes outlined above. The aim of this work has been to determine the areas to be focused on and the work required if the objectives of the review are to be met. A draft report, which is a consolidation of the inputs of each of the theme groups within the review, has been prepared and presents the key issues arising under each theme identified. The report outlines the issues identified, describes and analyses ongoing activities and identifies the objectives and research agenda of the various theme reports that will be compiled in due course.

Further, studies will be conducted on the issues raised in the key papers in order to draft theme reports which will present and analyze options to address the issues identified and to recommend the preferred policy and further action in each case. Theme reports will be subjected to broad consultations with all stakeholders, and a final report, summarizing the theme reports and consolidating the recommendations, will be submitted to Cabinet for final approval. On the basis of the final review report, a White Paper on Water Policy and an implementation strategy will be compiled. This will form the basis of the preparation of the proposed new Water Bill.

The Water Demand Management Namibia Country Study Phase 1 was completed in 1999. The study highlighted the importance of the focus on demand-side initiatives for increasing the efficiency of water use whilst ensuring environmental sustainability. Phase 2 of the project is at the design stage.

Creating water awareness and stimulating a national water culture is seen by the government as one way of improving efficiency in water utilization. In this regard, the President launched a National Water Awareness Campaign on 22 March 1995 to mark the World Water Day and to coincide with the water conservation theme selected for the World Environment Day that was commemorated on 5 June 1995. Creation of water awareness is based on four pillars, namely:

1.            Providing information about water availability, consumption and misuse,

2.            Advising the public on water conservation measures,

3.            Encouraging public participation in reducing water demand, and

4.            Improving efficiency and financial accountability for water supplied.

Since the beginning of 1995, staff of the Department of Water Affairs visited more than 100 schools in Namibia to convey the message. Public meetings were held on various occasions and a number of farmers’ day meetings were attended to inform farmers about the water situation in the country in general, and specifically with reference to the occurrence of water in their particular areas.

The government is actively engaged in the short to medium-term (five to ten years) and long-term (ten to thirty years) planning of water projects in the interest of the nation as a whole. Establishment of water supply schemes for cities, towns, planned growth points and mines to cater for the domestic, industrial and agricultural water needs in the country takes place according to national and regional water plans. Furthermore, in order to establish the extent of water resources and water usage in Namibia, several investigations have been undertaken whilst many are in progress. 

Since 1990, the following water master plans and investigations have been undertaken:

1.         1993 The Central Areas Water Master Plan, Interim Phase,

2.         1995 The Central Areas Water Master Plan, Interim Phase, and

3.         1996 Water Supply Development Plan for the Western Part of Ohangwena

             Region.

Feasibility studies into potential future water supply sources have also been undertaken. Most notable have been the 1997 Feasibility Study on the Okavango River to Grootfontein Link of the Eastern National Water Carrier, and the 1996 Feasibility Study on the Water Supply of the Central Namib Area of Namibia.

 A number of investigations are underway as follows:

1. Tsumeb-Oshivelo groundwater study funded by the German                  Development Bank (KFW) Investigating the groundwater potential in this area.
2. Stampriet artesian basin study supported by the Japanese International Co-operation Agency to investigate the groundwater potential in this region with a view to creating a groundwater management plan.
3. Windhoek Reclamation Plant co-funded by the KFW and the European Investment Bank (EIB). 
4. Artificial Aquifer Recharge supported by the Swedish International Development Agency to investigate the extent to which evaporation from the surface water dams can be reduced by artificially recharging the Windhoek aquifers with water from these dams.

Major infrastructure projects since 1990 include:

1.         Oanob Dam.

2.         Omdel Dam.

3.         Ogongo-Oshakati Canal.

4.         Upgrading of the Oshakati Canal.

5.         Water Treatment Plant, Oshakati.

6.         Significant extensions to the northern communal areas pipeline scheme.

Current projects include:

1.       Coastal Desalination Project supported by the EIB. Contract for the design and construction of the coastal desalination project was recently tendered.

2.       Olushandja Water Treatment Plant. 

The Millennium Round of GATT

The millennium round of the GATT was held in Seattle in November 1999. A number of unfinished issues remain from the first Uruguay Round of negotiations, but it is expected that significant improvements in market access for agricultural commodities, services and government procurement will be agreed to. 

These negotiations are linked with the renegotiations with the European Union (EU) of the current Lomé arrangements, which give Namibia access to the EU market and provide some development assistance through the European Development Fund (and other instruments, such as, Sysmin and Stabex). While the current Lomé arrangements can be expected to be extended to 2005, the EU is proposing that this will then be replaced by a series of regional economic partnership agreements.

As a member of SACU, Namibia is already tied into a Free-Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU, through the EU-RSA FTA which will come into force in 2000. A further trade-related issue will be the gradual reduction of agricultural support measures in developing and developed countries over the period under review – most notably, the EU Common Agricultural Policy. This will bring new opportunities to Namibian exporters by opening new markets and strengthening international commodity prices.

In the NDP1, and subsequently the Mid-Term Review of the NDP1, targets were set for the plan period ending 2000. A number of these sector targets were not met due to many constraints such as low and erratic rainfall, high rate of unemployment, reduced demand for beef in Europe, market liberalization, etc. Mindful of the constraints, it is difficult to set sectoral targets for the next thirty years. With rural-urban migration and the effect of HIV AIDS, the labour force on land is likely to reduce. This will lead to lower agricultural output. This trend could continue for some years, but over the long run it is believed that agricultural output will increase at the same rate as the population increases.

There is some evidence, of gradual changes in climate throughout southern Africa. Declining aggregate rainfall could have a significant impact on agricultural practices and, therefore, on trade.

For example, the focus of feed-lotting operations could be moved northwards from the South Africa, which would present Namibia with considerable opportunities, particularly for the semi-commercial farmers in the north of the country who might wish to enter the business.

Recent data shows that the hot season in Namibia has become longer (and the cold season shorter). However, hot months have not necessarily been getting any warmer. If such trends were to continue, risk of frost damage to crops and grass would be diminished and the growing season increased. However, unless rainfall totals increased proportionately, it would mean that increased evapo-transpiration would result in greater stress to plants and a increased likelihood of drought. Soil salinization and alkalization could also became an additional challenge for agricultural scientists. These changes would need to be closely monitored and analyzed and agricultural scientists investigating new, improved, varieties would have to pay close attention to such trends in designing their research programmes.

Since 1992, Namibia has gained significant experience in ensuring food security and nutrition development. Major achievements during the past eight years were as follows:

1.                  Establishment of cross-sectoral institutional co-ordination mechanisms to effectively address the problems identified.

2.                  Assessment and analysis of macro-economic and sectoral policy environments vis a vis food security, nutrition and related problems and activities at national and sub-national levels to address constraints and identify gaps between what is required and what is currently in place.

3.                  Formulation of a Food and Nutrition Policy for Namibia to provide a policy framework and articulation of guidelines for strategy and programme formulation and implementation.

4.                  Formulation of thirty-six cross-sectoral and mutually supportive action profiles to fill the identified gaps, presented in the form of a National Food Security and Nutrition Action Plan.

Based on the above mentioned progress and experience gained in the process, an expansion phase is expected to run for a five year period (2000 to 2005), running beyond the end of Namibia's Food and Nutrition Decade in 2002. This phase will pull together information, achievements and successful initiatives of the pilot implementation phase and is expected to emphasize policy advocacy and reform, replicate production programmes as appropriate, and strengthen national, regional and local capacity and investment programmes and opportunities for improved food security and nutritional status. Specifically: 

1.       By the year 2013, to bring the food security and nutrition situation in the country in line with the goals set by the World Food Summit in 1996.

2.       Through systematic institution and human resource development programmes, establish a Food Security and Nutrition Secretariat and Regional Food Security and Nutrition Councils in all the thirteen regions.

3.       Contribute to the decentralizing initiatives of the government particularly through strengthening and decentralizing food security and nutrition initiatives.

4.       Build capacity at all levels for the programmes to identify, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate area specific (i.e., region specific) Food Security and Nutrition Action Plan in all the thirteen regions.

5.       Establish effective and functional National Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information Mapping Systems (NFIVIMS) for the country.

When peace returns to Angola, this could result in the re-establishment of an animal health infrastructure and service in the south of  that country. Such a move would tie-in with the desire of Namibia for the northwards translocation of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, resulting in improved trade prospects (and, possibly, improved prices) for livestock producers in the northern communal areas.

With the improved communications infrastructure (road and railways) that peace in Angola could give rise to, as well as the improvement in the infrastructure which will in any case take place to the north-east of Namibia, prospects for Namibian livestock and livestock products are likely to be boosted significantly.

Namibia’s population will more than double during the next thirty years and will result in much of the potentially-arable areas being cleared for crop production. In fact, it is estimated that at the present rate of clearing, all areas with soils for cultivation will be cleared by 2033. Clearly, agricultural researchers and extension staff will need to work closely with smallholder producers to ensure that their systems of cultivation and livestock husbandry are sustainable from both financial and environmental perspective. 

At the same time, the need for off-farm rural income/employment-generating activities will intensify as agricultural production alone becomes increasingly less able to provide remunerative and sustainable livelihoods. For these reasons, researchers and planners will need to carefully monitor the exploitation of forests for wood and non-timber forest products and the continued dependence of the rural population on using cattle as a store of wealth, and provide decision makers with a portfolio of programmes, projects and policy measures to counter such negative trends. Unless action is taken to lessen the current rate of soil degradation and bush encroachment in Namibia’s farming areas, household food security, particularly for poorer households, could be increasingly compromised. 

The country’s scarce water resources will continue to come under increasing pressure over the next thirty years, both from other sectors of the economy and as a result of human population increase. For this reason, current trends for irrigation water to be used for only high-value and more water-efficient crops will be intensified. It is perhaps too early to predict what the impact will be on the livestock sector but it is clear that the natural pastures and existing water infrastructure will not allow any significant increase in herd/flock numbers.

Agricultural researchers, working in collaboration with economists, will need to monitor such pressures very closely to provide farmers with relevant and affordable alternative farm enterprises. They will also need to investigate in more depth, farming technologies and practices that promote water conservation and come up with drought-tolerant varieties of both crops and livestock. More realistic water pricing will be a feature of the coming decade and beyond. This is likely to result in dramatic changes to the water distribution systems and technologies on existing irrigation schemes and a significant re-thinking of the design of old and new schemes.

The application of new technologies in the agricultural field will profoundly change many aspects of the country’s agricultural sector. Of particular note will be the increasing ability of those controlling the technologies to exploit their financial potential (e.g., through the use of ‘terminator’ genes). Namibia is a source of significant bio-diversity, and therefore will be will be under increasing pressure to exploit the opportunities presented by the technology.

Regional Integration

Namibia is currently negotiating a number of regional trade agreements of varying depth and coverage. The SACU renegotiations (and the EU-RSA FTA) will significantly reduce the income Namibia receives from the Customs Pool and put pressure on government spending in all forms (including its ability to subsidize activities in the sector). The proposed FTA under the SADC Protocol will come into effect in 2000, and Namibia, along with its SACU partners, will be required to reduce most tariffs immediately. There will, however, be a significant period (as long as eight years) when non-SACU SADC members will have better access to the SACU markets than the SACU states have to theirs.

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) will apply very low tariff rates (as low as 10% of GSP, in most cases) to trade among its member states. Regional integration and general reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade will present Namibia with opportunities to supply agricultural commodities (notably low-grade beef, lamb and fish) to the region’s emerging markets. It will also increase Namibia’s ability to procure its staple food regionally, at advantageous prices.

The upshot of all these forthcoming changes in rules governing external trade is that Namibia will have significantly improved market access for its tradable agricultural produce from 2000, onwards. This represents an opportunity in those commodities in which the country has a competitive advantage. 

Whatever the actual impact is of climate change, it will undoubtedly lead to geographical shifts in those areas which are suitable for agriculture throughout the southern African region. This further emphasizes the need for good and open trade relations to be developed and maintained between SADC countries to ensure that barriers to the efficient marketing of food surpluses across borders are minimised.

The broad challenge for the water sector is to achieve the efficient supply and allocation of water through time, ensuring equitable access to water resources and sanitation and the sustainable utilization of water resources. In sum the challenge is to ensure that water resource management contributes to and is compatible with sustainable and equitable economic development. This challenge lies in several different areas of the water sector.

Institutional Arrangements

Institutions in the water sector are currently in a state of flux and as a result of the Namibian Water Resources Management Review, the institutional arrangement will be altered. It is hoped that the Department of Water Affairs and other institutions in the water sector will be more efficient in achieving their targets in 2030. The water sector will be overseen by a coherent institutional framework backed by an up to date legislative framework. 

Legislation  

The replacement of the Water Act of 1956 as the fundamental legislation for the operation of the water sector is one of the major challenges for the new millennium.

Water Pricing

Full cost recovery in the water sector represents one of the major challenges for the water sector. Improved incentives for efficiency in water use that full cost recovery imparts to water users are well documented. However, opposition to water pricing is widespread in Namibia and subsidies for water consumption still exist in many sectors. This is particularly so in the irrigation sector. Given the commercial status of NamWater, the regulation of water prices once full cost recovery is achieved is an issue of major concern for safeguarding against exploitation of water consumer. Design and implementation of a national water tariff policy, enabling a more transparent and systematic approach towards tariff setting will be a crucial factor in the general acceptability of full cost recovery.

Equity

Ensuring that Namibia’s poor and disadvantaged has equitable access to water supply remains one of the major challenges in the water sector. No doubt, the gender dimension of this issue is significant. Designing policies to enable physical and economic access to minimum levels of water consumption whilst addressing gender issues in both rural and urban areas is of paramount concern for the Department of Water Affairs. 

Future Water Supply

Finding the balance between increasing the supply of water and increasing the efficiency of current water use through demand management is a crucial factor in the efficient management and use of Namibia’s water resources. The balance between these two options will depend upon the extent to which a culture of water efficiency can be created in Namibia. The current growth in demands indicates that Namibia’s internal water resources will be exhausted by 2020. Given the cost implications of developing all of Namibia’s internal water resources, the use of the shared border rivers will be necessary in the interim. Securing Namibia’s share to the shared border rivers is therefore of paramount importance. All future investments should be subject to complete economic appraisal in order to establish their viability and benefit to the nation.

The issue of climate change may become a significant challenge. Namibia must develop a regime of water use and supply which recognizes the existing variability of water supply and prepare for potential climatic and water availability changes.

Environmental Sustainability

Maintaining the environmental functions of the hydrological cycle and hence ensuring environmental sustainability of water supply will be a major challenge for the millennium. This is especially so in light of the growing demands for water in Namibia, and the near total utilization of currently developed water supply.

Ensuring environmental sustainability requires precise knowledge of the extent of water resources and their links to vital environmental functions. Obtaining such data is a critical part of the environmental challenge.

It is imperative that the management of the water sector and the pattern of water consumption in Namibia is compatible with the goal of sustainable economic development. Water is a crucial input into the economic activities of Namibia and as such the sustained and efficient supply of water is necessary in order to minimize the extent to which water is a constraint to sustainable economic development. 

The scarcity of water also implies that cognizance of the productivity of water in different economic sectors should be a crucial factor in determining the allocation of water between competing sectors. Another challenge therefore is ensuring that there is a transition towards more efficient pattern of water consumption both within sectors and between sectors in order to maximize the development potential derived from this limited resource. Realistic water pricing will be one mechanism for achieving a more efficient allocation of water.