Windhoek
At all six green schemes managed by state-owned marketing company Agribusdev, losses consumed profits resulting in a total loss of N$1.381 million in the 2014/15 financial year.
This represents a decrease of 28 percent compared to the total loss of N$1.931 million posted in the 2013/14 financial year, an analysis of the annual report of Agribusdev reveals.
Reflecting on the state of Agribusdev in 2015, managing director Petrus Uuwanga yesterday said at the company’s first AGM that despite Agribusdev – as the manager of six farms – making headway, it still experiences challenges with severe implications for the green scheme operations, such as high costs of production and volatility in production.
He noted with concern that Etunda and Unhungu-vhungu continue to post losses while Kalimbeza, Hardap, Shadikongoro and Sikondo made profits.
“Agribusdev has made significant strides to advance agriculture and endeavoured to provide food security to Namibians. A total of 14 320 tonnes of maize was produced by the green schemes. However, the record shows a contraction of 1 432 tonnes in comparison with the preceding year. Wheat production has notably shrunk by 545 tonnes as opposed to the previous year,” he observed.
Uuwanga says through different schemes, Agribusdev produced diversified agricultural products and witnessed tremendous growth.
Cooking oil, Kalimbeza rice, wheat and maize flour production are some of the products.
The green schemes made significant strides in diversification of crops. A number of farms introduced various cultivars to increase yield and satisfy the national food security agenda.
“As of the current financial year, the green schemes own some 10 000 hectares of land. However, only 3 484 hectares are currently used for production. With regard to the general outlook of national maize production, the green schemes make a substantial contribution of some 21 percent since financial years 2012/13 to 2014/15,” he says.