Deputy Minister Opens Youth Agricultural Cooperative Training in Oshakati

Deputy Minister Opens Youth Agricultural Cooperative Training in Oshakati. On 23 February 2026, the Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC), Hon. Dino Ballotti, officiated at the official opening of the Youth Agricultural Cooperative Establishment Training at the Oshakati Multi-Purpose Centre. His presence at the event follows his recent officiation of the same programme in Swakopmund, Erongo Region, underscoring the Ministry’s commitment to youth empowerment through agriculture.

The five-day workshop is being attended by participants from the Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati, and Ohangwena regions. It is facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in partnership with MEIYSAC, reflecting a collaborative effort to strengthen agricultural innovation and cooperative development among young people.

In his remarks, Hon. Ballotti encouraged participants to fully engage in the training, emphasizing the importance of acquiring practical knowledge in high-value production, cooperative management, and market research. He urged attendees to apply these skills to build competitive agribusiness enterprises capable of contributing to Namibia’s broader economic growth.

The official opening was also attended by the Governor of the Oshana Region, Hon. Hofni Ipinge, and Hon. Petrus Ashipala, Regional Councilor of the Okatana Constituency. Their presence highlighted the significance of the programme at both regional and national levels, reinforcing the role of agriculture in community development and youth empowerment.

The training aims to equip young entrepreneurs with the tools to establish and manage agricultural cooperatives, fostering resilience and sustainability in the sector. By focusing on practical skills and cooperative structures, the initiative seeks to create opportunities for employment, food security, and economic diversification.

With strong government support and regional participation, the Youth Agricultural Cooperative Establishment Training represents a step toward building a new generation of agripreneurs in Namibia.