Windhoek: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has emphasized that agriculture is the foundation of Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and plays a critical role in the country's development agenda. In a speech delivered on his behalf at the official opening of the Epukiro Business and Agricultural Expo, Ngurare highlighted the goal of achieving a diversified, productive, and inclusive economy under NDP6, capable of creating decent employment.According to Namibia Press Agency, Ngurare stated that NDP6 aims for Namibia to produce 80% of its national food requirements by 2030, an increase from the current 60% baseline. He stressed the importance of supporting farmers not just as producers but as agricultural entrepreneurs. Ngurare pointed out the necessity of retaining value within Namibia by processing, packaging, preserving, and marketing agricultural products, such as cattle and horticultural goods.Ngurare also underscored the need to strengthen linkages with feed producers, transporters, abattoirs , processors, retailers, and exporters in the livestock sector. This approach, he suggested, would transform agriculture from a primary activity to a complete economic value chain. NDP6 prioritizes the revitalization of strategic agricultural value chains, climate-smart production, market access, competitiveness, agro-processing, and value addition to achieve this transformation.Furthermore, Ngurare noted that agriculture alone cannot transform rural communities and emphasized the importance of supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) around agriculture. The government's responsibility, he said, is to create an enabling environment for SMEs to access finance, markets, technology, infrastructure, skills, and information, aligning with NDP6's goals to increase employment and diversify the economy.He added that the NDP6 agricultural strategy includes modernizing and diversifying agricultural production, promoting agro-processing, and supporting investment in agriculture. Ngurare concluded by highlighti ng the significance of expos like the Epukiro Business and Agricultural Expo, which provide farmers and entrepreneurs opportunities to build commercial relationships and move beyond isolated production.