Windhoek: Nedbank Namibia and Agra Limited have partnered to launch a N.dollar 560,000 bursary programme aimed at fostering agricultural education and empowering Namibian youth. The initiative will support 20 students studying at the Agra Agricultural Academy, with bursaries covering registration and tuition fees for students pursuing national diplomas in agricultural fields, they announced at a ceremony in Windhoek on Monday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the selected disciplines include plant production, animal production, advanced farm management, agricultural extension, and agricultural-sales services. Nedbank Namibia Managing Director, Martha Murorua, stated that the sponsorship is a commitment to the future of Namibian agriculture. “By empowering young people with practical education, we are ensuring that agriculture becomes a viable and respected career path,” she said.
Murorua emphasized that agriculture has been a strategic focus in Nedbank Namibia’s operations and will remain so for the fores
eeable future. She highlighted that the bank’s efforts go beyond financial sponsorships and include internal investments such as the development of specialized agricultural banking teams and partnerships with Agra ProVision to deliver agricultural training through proceeds from the ‘Nedbank for Good’ Series golf tournaments.
Speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani applauded the initiative and highlighted its alignment with the national development agenda. “One of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s key priorities is food self-sufficiency and youth empowerment. We appreciate Nedbank’s commitment to these goals,” she said.
Zaamwani noted that the bursary programme provides young Namibians with a gateway to economic opportunities while contributing to national food security. “The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the importance of self-reliance. Training our youth in food production is not only strategic, it’s essential,” she sa
id.
Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) Chief Executive Officer Fidelis Mwazi praised the initiative for its role in developing a skilled workforce for Namibia’s crop sector. “The NAB’s forthcoming five-year crop value chain development strategy will rely heavily on skilled individuals like these bursary recipients,” he said.
The Agra Agricultural Academy, affiliated with the International Agricultural Academy for Africa, offers accredited online training through the South African Qualification Authority. Efforts are underway to collaborate with the Namibian Qualification Authority to ensure the training reflects the country’s specific agricultural needs. Graduates will also receive practical, on-the-job training through NAB-supported agricultural colleges, ensuring a smooth transition from theory to practice.