Youth Fund Beneficiary Calls for Reliable Markets to Sustain Agricultural Business
A youth-owned agricultural project in the Omusati Region is showing promising potential after receiving financial support through the Youth Development Fund, but its founder says access to reliable markets remains a major challenge.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Youth, Civic Relations and Community Development visited NNN Fresh Produce in the Etunda area on 17 August 2026 as part of its ongoing oversight mission to assess the impact of youth development funding.
The project was established by Ndapewa, a young female entrepreneur and teacher by profession, who said she turned to farming after experiencing work-related stress in the teaching profession.
Through financing from Agribank, the project was able to purchase solar panels, a water tank, irrigation pipes and seeds, while also acquiring iron sheets for the construction of a storeroom.
The investment has strengthened the project’s agricultural infrastructure and increased its capacity to produce fresh produce.
During the visit, Ndapewa explained how the funding had enabled her to expand the project and establish infrastructure needed to support its operations.
Despite the progress, she identified access to reliable and sustainable markets as one of the biggest challenges affecting the business.
She appealed for further support to help youth-owned enterprises secure stable markets for their products, saying consistent market access is essential for the long-term sustainability and growth of the project.
The Parliamentary Committee welcomed the progress made by NNN Fresh Produce and noted the importance of ensuring that beneficiaries receive support beyond financial assistance.
The Committee emphasised that youth empowerment programmes should also help beneficiaries develop sustainable enterprises by connecting them with markets and providing the necessary support to maintain and grow their businesses.
The visit forms part of the Committee’s broader oversight responsibility to assess how youth development initiatives are benefiting young Namibians and to identify
