FAO is one of the largest United Nations (UN) specialised agencies in Namibia and the lead agency for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development. The heart of FAO is achieving food security for all, to make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active and healthier lives.

The best, and most important objective of FAO in Namibia is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, and to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable and reduce rural poverty. In Namibia, the FAO supports the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in the development of programmes that will lead to a sustainable food achievement and the eradication of poverty.

FAO’s Comparative Advantage

The FAO’s comparative advantage stems from its capacity in the following areas:

Deploying technical expertise to the field: FAO has the capacity, wherewithal and global network connections to draw technical expertise in any field of agriculture (agronomists, foresters, fisheries and livestock specialists, biotechnologists, nutritionists, social scientists, economists, statisticians and other professionals that collect, analyze and disseminate data that aid development planning) from the international pool and deploy same to areas of critical need. FAO provides the kind of behind-the-scenes assistance that helps people and nations to help themselves.

Sharing policy expertise: FAO has capacity and experience in supporting the setting of development goals, supporting evidence-based decision making, identifying and formulating policy options for sustainable development, food security and inclusive growth, reform of research and extension systems, supporting planning, drafting effective legislation, integrating gender equality in agricultural programming, and creating national strategies to achieve rural development and hunger alleviation goals.

Supporting Government and International Financing Institutions (IFIs) to design/formulate and implement investment programmes for improved Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), the development of the agricultural sector and sustainable management of natural resources.

Provision of agricultural information: FAO has the most extensive agricultural databases and other information that cuts across issues of research, development, trade, consumer protection, food safety etc.

Rallying point for stakeholders: Policy-makers, agricultural experts, extension agencies, NGOs, and farmer organizations look up to the FAO on all aspects of agriculture, food security, environmental management, forestry, etc. As a neutral forum, FAO provides the setting through which stakeholders can build common understanding and provide assistance to multiple beneficiaries through various projects.