NNFU is a national federation of regional farmers unions. It was established in June 1992 to serve as a mouthpiece for Namibian communal and emerging farmers. Twelve regional farmers unions are currently affiliated. NNFU is registered as 'An association not for Gain' in accordance with the provisions of section 21 of the Company Act, Act N 61 of 1973. Official registration number 21/98/529.

NNFU aims to increase food production for household food security, enhance marketing of farming products to increase household income, increase participation and recognition of women in farming, contribute to environmental protection and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Within the NNFU, the Governance and Central Support program is the general administration and co-ordination department. The governing bodies are:
- Congress
- National Council
- Executive Committee

NNFU is through its Policy Education and Advocacy program promoting active participation of the small scale farmers in:
- The design and drafting of conducive and enabling policy environment related to agriculture, water, land, credit etc.
- Implementation of national policies, acts and legislations, projects and schemes.
- Serve as a conveyer belt between farming communities country-wide and service delivery institutions.

NNFU is through its Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building program assisting its core members, viz. local farmers associations and regional farmers unions, in efforts that are related to:
- Annual action planning
- Leadership training
- Mentoring during action plan implementation

NNFU is getting involved in institutional strengthening in order to create vibrancy at grass- root level that allows for complimentary actions.

NNFU is through its Business Advisory and Trade Links unit assisting farmers in their effort to:
- Organise small-scale farmers for collective marketing purposes in order to enhance their bargaining powers
- Critically analyse factors that influence the commodity market chain
- Understand factors that influence price structures in the market place

NNFU is getting involved in business advice to assist farmers to take informed decisions during marketing and to increase the bargaining power base of farmers at market place.

NNFU does not have a mandate to provide material support to projects at local village level, but is assisting its development partners during implementation of pilot projects in order to:
- Demonstrate feasibility
- Hand over to local farmers organizations for further implementation

Operating budget: N$ 3 to N$ 4 million annually. Sources of financing: 40% - 50% of our budget comes from levy charges, which is being paid by Namibian meat producers. The remaining is mainly covered by local and international donors through fund raising efforts.