The Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Deputy Minister says Namibia's agricultural future depends entirely on the hands, hearts and minds of young people.
She made these remarks at Oniipa in the Oshikoto region during the agri-youth engagement.

Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Deputy Minister Ruth Masake says she will be happy to see Namibian youth taking a lead in agriculture, fisheries, water security and land reform.

She says the government's vision for the youth is clear and uncompromising, as the government expects the youth to be active partners, innovative producers and decisive leaders in driving Namibia's economic renewal.

Under the 6th National Development Plan (NDP6), agriculture, fisheries, water and natural resources stand as core productive sectors for job creation, food security, export growth and youth empowerment.
NDP6 thus demands a decisive shift from subsistence farming to commercial, climate-smart and high-value production.

It further seeks to champion youth-led agribusinesses, agro-processing and value addition, as well as build robust value chains from soil and water to markets and exports and ensure land reform delivers genuine productivity and generational wealth.

"This vision is powerful to reinforce. By our only Swapo Party manifesto implementation, we are clear, and for your information, the Swapo Party election manifesto plan is already transmitted into NDP6. I want to believe all the ministries have drawn their own strategic plan which is informed by NDP6," says Masake.
She says her ministry is working hard to make agriculture and fisheries not only attractive and profitable but also modern, innovative and future-proof for young Namibians.

"Young ones of Oshikoto, let us get involved and change the livelihood and create jobs. We should not go there asking for a job, but the job is there with you; the ball is there - kick it and get food on the table, she urged.

She says Oshikoto is exceptionally positioned, as it boasts fertile soil and reliable rainfall in many areas where staple food is produced.

"2026 must be a year youths shift from waiting to working from excessing the opportunities to owning them from portable to unstoppable productivity , agriculture, fishery, water security and land reform are no longer yesterday sector they are tomorrow's engine."