Staamland urges invest in farming infrastructure or face losing value
Staamland Farm on the outskirts of Mariental says Namibia has the potential to produce more of its own food, create jobs and strengthen rural economies, but only if farmers receive the investment, infrastructure and market access needed to grow beyond the field.
Speaking to AgriMonitor, Staamland Farm managing director Geoffrey Sibalatani said Namibia could build competitive agricultural value chains if farming was treated as a serious commercial industry rather than focusing solely on production.
The farm has expanded from livestock farming into commercial crop production using its own resources and now produces cabbage, potatoes and garlic on a commercial scale. The farm recently delivered a bumper potato harvest.
"So far, we have made it happen on our own. We have invested our own resources, taken the risk, worked the land and proved that progress is possible. But for agriculture to grow at scale, farmers need infrastructure support, investment partnerships and systems that move production from the field to the market," he said.
Sibalatani said the time had come to move beyond talking about agriculture's potential and instead invest in the infrastructure needed to help farmers produce consistently and compete effectively. He said this includes irrigation systems, water infrastructure, cold storage, packhouses, transport networks, agro-processing facilities, reliable energy, mechanisation and better access to structured markets.
Infrastructure essential
"A farmer can plant, but without the right infrastructure the country loses value. We need storage, processing, logistics and market access. That is where the real agricultural economy is built," he said.
Staamland believes food security cannot rest on farmers' shoulders alone. It requires collaboration among producers, investors, banks, the government, retailers, processors, and development finance institutions.
Executive for operations at Staamland Farm, Lingani Sibalatani, said agriculture demands patience, capital and long-term commitment. "It is not enough to encourage people to farm. We must support farmers with the tools, systems and partnerships that allow them to farm successfully and sustainably," she said.
She stressed that the challenges facing Staamland are shared by many producers across the country. "All farmers need investment to reach higher levels of productivity. The sector must now attract serious investment if it is to contribute meaningfully to national food security and rural economic growth."
She encouraged investors to view agriculture as a long-term business opportunity capable of generating sustainable returns while strengthening local communities.
"Investment in farming infrastructure can unlock production, reduce import dependency, support agro-processing, create employment and open opportunities for regional trade," she said.
Expansion encouraged
Lingani added that Namibia should also expand into higher-value agricultural activities, including crop diversification, seed trials, export production, livestock improvement, value addition, packaging, branding and local processing.
"The future of farming is not only about producing raw commodities. It is about building value chains. Namibia must produce, process, package and sell more of its own products. That is how agriculture becomes a true economic engine."
She also encouraged young Namibians to see agriculture as a modern and innovative career with opportunities beyond traditional farming. "With the right infrastructure and investment, agriculture can support entrepreneurship, technical skills development, rural communities and long-term employment."
Staamland Farm is calling on investors, banks, development finance institutions, government and private sector partners to work alongside producers who are already demonstrating what is possible.
"We are not asking people to believe in theory. We are saying: come and see what has already been achieved. We have taken the first step and carried the initial burden ourselves. Now we need partners who can help us build the infrastructure needed to grow," she said.
The farm hopes to continue building an operation rooted in quality, resilience and long-term value.
"The country's agricultural future will not be built through speeches alone. It will be built through investment, infrastructure, disciplined farming and partnerships that turn land into production, production into value, and value into national growth," she said.
