Can technological innovation contribute to job creation in the agriculture sector for individuals in Namibia?

Agriculture remains to big a big part of Namibia’s economy and society.According to The World Food Programme Namibia, about 70% ofNamibians depend on farming as a source of living, but the sectorcontributes only around 7 to 8% to the GDP and employs around one fifthof the workforce. About half of the population still lives in rural areas,where job opportunities outside of farming can be scarce. At the sametime, Namibia faces one of the highest unemployment rates in Africa.According to the World Bank, Namibias youth unemployment was 37.6%in 2023. This two challenges of rural reliance on agriculture and people not working makes technological innovation a potential transformative tool for employment.

The Namibian government and its partners have invested in making agriculture more modern through training and infrastructure. Large scale irrigation schemes under the Green Scheme programme aim to increase productivity while creating technical and managerial roles in irrigated farming. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water & Forestry has also controlled-extension services, using mobile platforms to share information on weather, crop management and pest control. These actions not only improve yields, but as well as create employment for ICT specialists, extension officers and trainers who support farmers who are interested in the change to new technology.

Renewable energy projects exemplify the potential of technology to createrural jobs. Theres a great example, the Mungongi Agricultural project inKavango West installed a mobile solar powered irrigation pump to replacecostly diesel systems. The project directly created jobs for about fouryoung community members while making sure of more reliable irrigationsystems. These solar irrigation systems will require skilled labour and therefore skilled employment will be generated in the rural areas.Private enterprises are also helping with job creation like The AvaGrodesert greenhouse project near Swakopmund shows how hydroponic and greenhouse farming can thrive in arid environments, producing vegetables and flowers for local supermarkets and export markets. These facilitiesemploy technicians and labourers while stimulating downstream logisticsand retail jobs. AquaNam is another enterprise which has helped with creation of jobs because it equips young Namibians with skills in controlled environment farming and offers pathways to employment orentrepreneurship.Namibias local experience shows that technological innovation is not merely replacing labour, but reshaping it. The solar irrigation systems and digital platforms to greenhouse and vocational training centres are all helping to expand the range of jobs available to the youth in rural areas.With investment and training agriculture can have a big positive change and potentially reduce unemployment and strengthen rural living standards

4. Global Perspective•Kenya or India as global examples where tech has helped createagri jobs (like digital extension services or drone farming).•Shows potential if Namibia follows similar models withinvestment and training.FOR OUR GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEWe will be looking into how technology has impacted the agriculturalindustry of India, such as creating investment opportunities, lifting uprural areas and feeding the worldAgriculture contributes more than half on India’s GDP, this nation isstill one of the world’s largest food producers and agriculture.Agriculture is estimated to contribute around $600 billion to India’sGDP according to( McKinsey’s Agriculture Practice). But to achievethis the nation must unlock productivity and growth within the sector

This transformation with farming can be achieved through agriculturaltechnology (agtech). This could definitely make or break India’sfarmers as most rural farmers do not have the needed funds for hugeagtech projects, by raising awareness to foreign investors this issuecan be resolved. By using more effective and efficient methods withagtech this can help make profit and contribute to the development ofthe economy. Between 2013 and 2020, the agtech landscape in Indiagrew from less than 50 start-ups to more than 1,000, fueled byincreased farmer awareness, rising internet penetration in rural India.This also brings many potential investors, the agtech ecosystem hasthe potential to propel indian farmers’ incomes to grow by 25 to 35percent. Providers of farming supplies such as agrochemicals,fertilizers, and seeds are using technology to create direct-to-farmersales channels that bypass middlemen and retailers. For example, UPL(traditionally a core agrochemicals player). Many firms which includenon banks and banks are providing finance through means of farmsand rural loans use technology to further understand farmers andprovide targeted products for example the State Bank of India(SBI)have developed an app known as YONO Krishi app to meet thefinance, needs and inputs of farmers. Furthermore other companieswhich sell farm equipment such as Mahindra offer tractor rentalservices.The indian government has enabled the growth of agtech by takingpolicy steps to foster technology and innovation through means of:Easier digital research. Government has promoted farmer to producerorganizations(FPOs) which grants $750 million to set up over 10,00FPOs in 5 yearsNational Agriculture Market known as (eNAM) which is a pan-indiaelectronic online trading portal connecting already existing mandiswhich forms a unified national market for agriculture commoditieswhich ensures better prices for farmers.these are just a few of the many initiatives which help in building anagtech ecosystem in IndiaExamples of Agtech in india is the Drone farmingaccording to the National Portal of India, Namo drone didi is centralscheme which aims to enhance the efficiency of agriculture and otherunrelated topics. Their drone technology has significantly enhancedthe application of pesticides and fertilizers which transformedtraditional agricultural practices. Sensory technology and advancedGps systems technology allow the drones to follow precise flight pathsover fields. precision reduces the overuse of chemicals whichminimizes the environmental impact and lowering costs for farmer

Around the world, agriculture has always been one of the largest sources of employment. According to the World Bank, over 25% of the global workforce is employed in agriculture, though this number varies widely by region. With the growth of technology, the nature of the agricultural jobs is changing rather than disappearing entirely. 

Globally, technological innovation has two sides:

1. Job Creation Through New Opportunities:
   • Agri-tech startups are emerging across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. These businesses develop apps, drones, and precision-farming tools, creating jobs not only in farming but also in technology development, sales, and maintenance.
   • In India, digital platforms like AgriBazaar connect farmers directly to buyers, creating jobs in logistics and digital services.
   • In the U.S. and Europe, precision agriculture (using sensors, GPS, and drones) has created new roles for data analysts, drone operators, and agricultural engineers.
   • The global “green economy” movement is also driving investment into sustainable farming, such as solar-powered irrigation, which requires training and technicians.
2. Job Reduction in Manual Labor:
   • Mechanization, such as self-driving tractors and robotic harvesters, reduces the demand for traditional farm labor.
   • In countries like the U.S., large-scale industrial farming employs far fewer workers today than it did decades ago, because machines can complete tasks that once required hundreds of workers.
   • This trend has raised concerns in developing countries, where small-scale farmers rely heavily on manual labor and may not easily transition into technology-based roles.

 Globally, organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlight the importance of skills development alongside technological progress. They argue that technology will not necessarily destroy jobs but will transform them. For example, someone who once worked as a farmhand may need to be trained to operate and maintain machinery or manage digital farm records. Another important factor is climate change. Globally, agriculture is under pressure due to extreme weather and declining soil fertility. Technology such as climate-smart agriculture, hydroponics, and drought-resistant crops is creating new areas of research, innovation, and employment opportunities. Countries like Israel have become world leaders in drip irrigation technology, while the Netherlands is pioneering greenhouse farming — both of which require skilled workers and technicians. In summary, the global perspective shows that technological innovation in agriculture does not have a single outcome. It creates new opportunities in technology, logistics, research, and sustainability while reducing the demand for certain traditional labor roles. The real challenge is ensuring workers worldwide have access to education and training so they can transition into these new jobs.

Argument: Technological Innovation in Agriculture Creates Jobs in NamibiaThe University of Namibia’s Precision Desert Agriculture as a Job Creator project demonstrates that technological innovation can directly foster employment. Through funding from the Southern Africa Innovation Support Programme (SAIS) and partnerships with agritech companies, 10 graduates from UNAM and NUST are being trained in precision agriculture techniques such as hydroponics, drip irrigation, and mushroom production.This training provides not only practical agricultural skills but also entrepreneurship tools like business planning, market surveys, and record keeping. By exposing trainees to expertise from Israel, South Africa, and Namibia, the program equips them to transition from job seekers into agripreneurs who can create businesses, generate employment, and contribute to Namibia’s National Development Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.Therefore, technological innovation in agriculture can serve as a catalyst for job creation by empowering skilled graduates to launch businesses and stimulate economic growth in Namibia. Simon Namesho (https://forumonline.unam.edu.na/author/simon/) — September 11, 2020University of Namibia news 

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and NamibiaThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has the potential to transform Namibia’s economy, boost productivity, create jobs, and improve living standards. However, Namibia faces major challenges, especially low digital literacy, skills mismatches, and limited access to education and technology.Currently, around 60% of Namibia’s workforce is inactive, largely due to illiteracy. Employment rates rise significantly with higher education, showing the importance of skills development. The World Economic Forum predicts both job creation and job losses from technologies like AI, highlighting the urgency for Namibia to prepare its workforce.Sheehama argues that Namibia must adopt a national 4IR strategy focused on education, reskilling, and digital infrastructure. This includes addressing dropout rates, making schooling accessible, teaching both soft and technical skills, and using data systems to align training with market needs.While 4IR presents opportunities in agriculture, education, and digital commerce, it also disrupts traditional industries and requires regulatory reform to support innovation. Success depends on entrepreneurship, supportive policies, and strong institutions, as well as ensuring that technology is used sustainably without harming society or the environment.In conclusion, Sheehama stresses that Namibia has no choice but to embrace 4IR quickly, by equipping its people with digital and entrepreneurial skills, to unlock new opportunities and achieve inclusive, sustainable economic growth. Posted by Josef Sheehama (https://economist.com.na/author/josef-sheehama/) | Aug 17, 2023Posted on Namibia economic