Public seek answers on N$40m US agriculture contract

Questions are mounting over a N$39 million (US$2.4 million) contract awarded to a United States agricultural technology company to implement an artificial intelligence-driven crop monitoring system for Namibia’s agriculture sector.

The controversy follows an announcement made by United States Ambassador to Namibia, John Giordano through the U.S. Embassy’s social media pages last week.

Giordano announced that American company, 6th Grain, had secured the contract with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, confirming that the matter is receiving attention at the highest level. “American companies compete, and American innovation wins. This partnership demonstrates how world-class U.S. technology, trusted expertise and lasting knowledge transfer can help advance Namibia’s agricultural development,” the embassy said. The announcement was made before any public communication by the Namibian government and has since sparked public debate, with questions raised over the procurement process and how the agreement was communicated to the masses.