Namibia’s persistent and severe drought has forced the country to import maize at a significant cost.
This is according to Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) CEO Fidelis Mwazi, who warned that the country is facing a severe shortage of local production crops such as maize due to low rainfall.
“Our total average in terms of total demand or consumption stands at 178 000 metric tonnes – and of this, 52% is locally-produced. Based on the issues of drought, we are only expecting 33 000 metric tonnes, which is about 18% of our total demands. 145 000 metric tonnes still need to be imported in terms of white maize,” he said.
The NAB CEO was updating the nation at the Government Information Centre last week on the board’s response to the prevailing drought.
The NAB is mandated to promote the agronomic industry and facilitate domestic production, processing, storage and marketing of controlled agronomy and horticulture products through market regulation.
Mwazi added that Namibia will spend billions of dollars because the current average of white maize per tonne is around N$7 000.
This higher price has been a result of high demand.
Even the mahangu crop, is experiencing a significant reduction since it is dependent on rain.
As a remedy, Mwazi said the board is investigating how to complement governmental efforts like subsidies, in terms of seeds and fertilisers.
“What we have done, as a solution, is we are conducting trials with Unam on seed research and production. The reason is that we would like to start producing seeds that are adaptive to the prevailing climate conditions,” said the CEO.
President Nangolo Mbumba declared a state of emergency on 22 May 2024 as Namibia grapples with high levels of drought and food insecurity.
Government has budgeted N$825 million for the drought relief programme.
Last month, Ohangwena governor Sebastian Ndeitunga told this publication, “It is very serious. I can tell you that it is now May, and the grass is already almost done and finished in some areas, while mahangu fields are dry, with no hope of harvesting.”
He added that people buying mahangu from Angola for consumption should be allowed to bring the staple crop across the border without paying extra fees.