Government continues to promote household and national food security.

This is done through the funding of agronomic activities, strategic food reserves or silos, and fresh produce hubs.

As the country marks 36 years of independence, NBC's Charles Tjituka interrogates the extent to which the government secures food security for its citizens. 

Marketing and Corporate Communications Manager at Agro Marketing Agro and Trade (AMTA) Pasval Elijah says a lot has been done to ensure that the country has sufficient food reserves and that agricultural products are well marketed for the optimal benefit of the country.

The government established AMTA to oversee and coordinate the marketing and trading of agricultural products.

"Vision 2030 commits the government to devising programmes and projects to ensure food security at both national and household levels with the development of state agronomic projects, the construction of national strategic food reserves - commonly known as silos - and fresh produce business hubs, among which are top priorities of government. AMTA was then created within this strategic framework through a cabinet decision as a specialised agency of the Ministry of Agriculture to coordinate and manage the marketing and trading of agricultural produce in Namibia."

However, these gains have not been enough to meet domestic demand, leaving Namibia heavily reliant on imports - mainly from South Africa. 

This has driven efforts to expand strategic food reserves and Fresh Produce Business Hubs to strengthen local supply.

She said this calls for a stakeholder's collective approach to ensure the agricultural sector is strengthened in attaining food security.