22/04/2026
Strengthening Partnerships for Agricultural Transformation in Kavango West.
Wednesday 22 April 2026, the Office of the Governor of Kavango West Region had the distinct honour of hosting a courtesy visit from representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), under the Technical Cooperation Project, the Northern Small-Scale Farmers Livelihood Enhancement Project (N-SHEP).
The delegation, led by Mr. Leevi Nekwaya, Deputy Director of DAPEES under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, together with JICA experts and Kavango West Region Dapees represntatives , paid a courtesy call to the Hon. Governor, reaffirming the strong and enduring partnership between the Republic of Namibia and the Government of Japan.
In her welcoming remarks, Hon. Governor Verna Sinimbo highlighted the transformative impact of the N-SHEP project, which has been implemented since 2021. She emphasized that the initiative goes beyond traditional farming support by instilling a market-oriented mindset among small-scale farmers.
The powerful principle of “Produce to Sell, not Produce and Sell” continues to reshape how farmers approach agriculture, encouraging planning, market research, and strategic decision-making to improve productivity and income generation.
The Governor further noted that this initiative directly addresses key challenges faced by farmers in the region, including limited access to markets, post-harvest losses, and low income levels. The project stands as a ray of hope in advancing sustainable agriculture and rural development across Kavango West.
As engagements continue, the region looks forward to strengthening collaboration, sharing lessons, and exploring opportunities to scale up this impactful programme to reach more farmers across all constituencies.
The Governor extended sincere appreciation to JICA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform for their continued commitment to empowering communities and driving agricultural transformation.
Together, we are cultivating resilience, promoting innovation, and building a prosperous future for our farmers.
Issued by the Office of the Governor