Hanks Saisai: Cultivating growth in Namibia’s agricultural sector
Celebrating over a decade of agricultural excellence
Saisai's efforts contribute significantly to national food security by empowering farmers to increase their agricultural output.
Hanks Saisai is a seasoned Namibian agriculturist with more than a decade of experience in the sector. Since September 2020, he has served as the technical advisor for crops and poultry at the Agricultural Bank of Namibia (Agribank).Prior to this role, he spent six years as an agricultural technician at the Ministry of Agriculture.
His academic credentials include a bachelor's in agricultural management and a diploma in agricultural management from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), where he is currently pursuing a BSc Honours in sustainable agriculture.
In his current role at Agribank, Saisai provides technical advice and capacity-building services to farmers, offering training sessions, lectures and practical demonstrations.
Boosting food security
He supports both emerging and established farmers in enhancing their skills in crop and poultry production, aiming to improve productivity and livelihoods. His efforts contribute significantly to national food security by empowering farmers to increase their agricultural output.
Saisai's work extends beyond advisory services; he actively promotes the adoption of agricultural technologies and best practices. He emphasises the importance of daily crop inspections to identify pests and diseases early, ensuring healthier crops and higher yields. Additionally, he advocates for the registration of crop producers with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), highlighting benefits such as access to market information and protection from cheap imports.
Recognising the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including disease outbreaks, erratic rainfall and high input costs, Saisai underscores the need for resilience and adaptability among farmers.
Agriculture’s role in development
He believes that involving youth in agriculture can address unemployment and enhance food security, as young people bring energy and innovation to the sector. His advice to aspiring agriculturists is to cultivate passion, dedication, and a willingness to work with diverse communities.
The most rewarding aspect of Saisai's work is witnessing the transformation of training concepts into thriving agricultural enterprises that create employment and stimulate local economies. Notable achievements include assisting the National Youth Service's Rietfontein Centre in establishing a 4 000-hen poultry production enterprise and inspiring livestock-focused communities to venture into crop production.
For young individuals considering a career in agriculture, Saisai advises that "one must have a high level of passion, dedication and resilience."
He also emphasises the importance of being "a reliable individual to gain the trust of farmers" and possessing the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.