Maria David A LONG-STANDING initiative to boost rice cultivation in Namibia, initially a research project and now a thriving agricultural endeavour, has received significant contributions from both international partners and the local industry. The project, which started in 2012, has seen substantial growth, attracting small-scale farmers and agricultural enthusiasts nationwide. Ambassador of Japan to Namibia, Shinichi Asazuma, indicated the project’s origins as a five-year research initiative. “This endeavour was a joint effort, funded and implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), in collaboration with the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the then Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF),” he said. Asazuma revealed that Japan’s total grant for this project under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program exceeded N$62 million. He also noted that the project has successfully engaged numerous small-scale farmers and agricultural enthusiasts across various regions over the years. Asazuma further elaborated on JICA’s broader technical cooperation in Namibia, which has been in place since 2006. This support encompasses various large-scale projects in transport, logistics, agriculture, and human resource development, including the deployment of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) to numerous institutions across the country. Meanwhile, Debmarine Namibia has also played a pivotal role in the project’s expansion. Godfrey Ngaisiue, Debmarine Namibia’s Mineral Resources Manager, underscored the company’s belief in education as the foundation of a thriving society. “This philosophy is central to their ‘Partnering for Thriving Communities’ social investment pillar, which aims for genuine and lasting impact by focusing on health and well-being, skills and education, and sustainable livelihoods,” he said. In 2022, Debmarine Namibia proudly invested over N$750,000 to support UNAM’s Ogongo Campus, specifically for the development of rice cultivation and poultry breeding. Ngaisiue reflected on this investment, stating that while not every seed shows immediate results, the initial vision, effort, and collaboration have since flourished. What began as 4.1 hectares has now expanded significantly to 8.65 hectares, with 6.7 hectares fully planted. “Debmarine Namibia’s investment extended beyond just agricultural equipment and research; it was an investment in people, in progress, and in the shared promise of sustainable food security,” he said. He added that the project embodies the kind of inclusive development Debmarine Namibia advocates for: equipping youth with specialist training, empowering rural communities, and building the necessary capacity for Namibia’s future.