When one is in production or aspires to venture into producing fresh produce like vegetables, fruits or cereal grains, often a key aspect is overlooked by many producers, and that is to register as a crop producer. 

One must register with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) as a producer of crop products, as this has numerous benefits that are to the advantage of the farmer.

As a registered producer, a farmer becomes recognised as a legitimate producer of crop products in Namibia, and it opens doors to both formal and informal markets. 

Secondly, once registered as a producer with the NAB, one is allocated to one of the following production zones; Zambezi, Kavango, Karst, North-Central, Central, South or Orange. 

The producer then actively starts to contribute towards the local production of crops in that respective zone. 

Another benefit of registering as a producer is that you get to stipulate whether your crop products are produced organically, or you make use of chemicals, and you indicate the intended market for your produce (domestic or export).

In addition, a registered NAB producer is allocated a producer category, depending on the size of land under production. Small producers are usually farmers who produce crops on a piece of land ranging from 0.5 Ha to 30 Ha.

Medium crop producers produce crops on a piece of land that ranges from 30 Ha – 60 Ha. Usually, the last category is for large producers who produce crops on more than 60 Ha of land. 

The producer size category informs the regulator, NAB, to notify traders that a certain farmer may have less or huge quantities of certain crops, depending on the producer’s production category.

From a regulatory and compliance point of view, registering with NAB offers the producer the opportunity to comply with food safety standards that ensure consumers are offered safe food for human consumption. 

Furthermore, the registration enables farmers to specify which type of horticultural or agronomic crops they will produce. 

This enables one to inform the market what kind of crops are being produced, the expected yield in kilograms at the time of harvest, and when the crops will be ready for the market. 

Additionally, when you are a registered producer, you get to have access to information about the forecasted production of crops, and the volumes needed in the market. This information is essential, as it helps farmers to produce crops at times when there is a shortage in the market, and ensures they understand the quantities demanded by the market. To the benefit of smallholder farmers, production forecast information offered by NAB, empowers them to strategise their production by ensuring that they produce high-quality products in the correct quantity and in a staggered manner to ensure that they can supply markets during periods where local production is low.

Finally, as a regulator, the NAB ensures that local farmers are protected from cheaper imports by enforcing laws and regulations that ensure that local traders prioritise trading with local producers, and only when local production is low can traders be issued import licences.

Farmers are encouraged to regularly consult the NAB or visit their website at www.nab.com.na to stay informed about the latest developments in the crop sector. By registering with the NAB, crop farmers can access numerous benefits and opportunities within Namibia’s dynamic agricultural landscape.

*Hanks Saisai is Agribank’s technical advisor on crops and poultry.