Windhoek
The Management of the Agronomy Producers Association (APA) met on July 30 in Windhoek to discuss various issues pertaining to agronomy producers. The main discussion was the drought assistance in the form of seed and fertiliser subsidies. Management conveyed their gratitude to the government for availing a budget in this regard. There is a huge concern that if the drought assistance does not reach agronomists in time, that very little will be planted this year.
Dr. B. Malima, the Deputy Director of the Directorate: Research and Training of the MAWF, joined the meeting to provide an overview of the progress made regarding the drought assistance. Management used this opportunity to share the urgency of the situation and requested him to convey the message that producers are under pressure to finalise their inputs before the next planting season and that the N$30 million must be channelled to the Namibian Agronomic Board as soon as possible for further action. The hope was expressed that this matter would be concluded by the end of August.