President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reiterated that agriculture remains the backbone of national development, with food security driving economic stability.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during a familiarisation visit to Aussenkehr Grape Valley farm in the ||Kharas Region, where she also officiated at the Namibia Grape Company's (NGC) staff housing project launch.
The staff housing project, funded by the NGC Trust, will see the construction of 76 houses at the proclaimed Aussenkehr settlement.
The units are being constructed on plots allocated by the ||Kharas Regional Council to improve the living conditions of grape workers, many of whom still live in reed houses.
The President noted that Namibia Grape Company's operations and social investments are practical demonstrations of the country's national priorities.
"We have committed to the people of Namibia for the next five years; now, four years are remaining, with some months to create 500,000 jobs. Definitely, no one is expecting any government in the world, particularly in the current economic system of Namibia, to create such jobs because government jobs are in the public sector or civil service, and there is always a limit. However, we have made this commitment because we believe in fostering a strong partnership between the government and the private sector, with the private sector serving as the primary driver for job creation and poverty alleviation in our country."
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah noted the housing project marks a meaningful step in strengthening, diversifying and transforming the Namibian economy and reflects the government's priority to decent living conditions.
Moreover, the President called for increased investment in agri-processing to drive value addition, create jobs and strengthen the country's food system.
"We cannot only end with production; we should go further to processing. We are talking about value addition. Like in the grape industry, we can make raisins. It is another way to create a job and maybe get more income if it happens that when you progress to that level, you get more yield. I understand for now, our market may be too small for us to move in that direction. But I am challenging Namibian businesspeople to seriously venture into this type of agriculture."
The President pledged that the government will continue to engage stakeholders in the agriculture sector to improve both production and workers' living conditions.
Also speaking at the occasion was ||Kharas Governor, Dawid Gertze, who said, "The grape industry is not just a cornerstone of the economy, but it is also a business. It tells a story of Namibian success. It created thousands of jobs, it supports families, and it puts us firmly on the world map."