The Namibian government has allocated N$40 million to purchase grain from local farmers, but this amount may not be enough to buy all the produce currently in storage. According to Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, the fund is an initial intervention to support farmers who have struggled to find a market for their grain. The ministry acknowledges that the allocated amount may not be sufficient to procure all grain held by farmers.
The government secured the funding after farmers raised concerns about limited market access, and the money has been channelled through the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta). Amta will buy the grain and inform farmers about the requirements. Muyunda urged Amta to expedite the process, as farmers have already endured a lengthy wait to sell their produce. The ministry is also looking for additional funding to expand the procurement programme.
Farmers have welcomed the funding, but some have expressed concerns about its impact. Alberts Kulobone, a member of the Zambezi Progressive Farmers, said the effectiveness of the fund will depend on the amount of grain available, the prices offered, and how quickly farmers are paid. Kulobone emphasized that farmers need prices that cover their production costs to make the programme meaningful.
The current harvest in Namibia is significantly larger than usual, with the area under production increasing from about 6 000 metric tonnes in a normal season to more than 9 000 metric tonnes. According to Alfred Chilinda, chairperson of the Likwama Farmers Union, this has put pressure on the market, leaving some farmers waiting longer to sell their produce. Chilinda warned that some farmers do not have chemicals to protect stored grain against weevils.
Chilinda expressed concerns that by the end or middle of October, farmers will suffer significant losses due to weevil attacks on their stored grain. While Amta's return to the market has brought some relief, Chilinda remains sceptical about whether all farmers will be able to sell their produce and receive payment. He called on other buyers to purchase grain from farmers still waiting for a market.
The Ministry of Agriculture is working to address the concerns of farmers, but it is unclear whether the N$40 million fund will be sufficient to meet their needs. Muyunda emphasized that the ministry is looking for additional funding to support farmers, and Kulobone called for a structured, long-term procurement framework to provide more certainty and incentivise increased production.
The N$40 million grain fund is a temporary solution to support farmers who have struggled to find a market for their produce. However, the long-term sustainability of the programme remains uncertain, and farmers are calling for a more comprehensive solution to address their concerns. The government and other stakeholders will need to work together to find a more permanent solution to support Namibia's agricultural sector.
Key points
- The N$40 million fund may not be enough to purchase all the grain currently in storage.
- The current harvest in Namibia is significantly larger than usual, putting pressure on the market.
- Farmers are calling for a structured, long-term procurement framework to provide more certainty and incentivise increased production.
