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 is recognised as a legitimate supplier of crop products in Namibia, opening access to both formal and informal markets. 

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

The producer then actively contributes to the local production of crops in that respective zone. 

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

Additionally, a registered NAB producer is assigned a producer category based on the size of the 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 to 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 particular farmer may have less or vast quantities of certain crops, depending on the producer’s production category. 

From a regulatory and compliance standpoint, registering with NAB gives the producer the chance to meet food safety standards that guarantee consumers receive 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, as a registered producer, you gain access to information about the forecasted crop production and the volumes required 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, thereby ensuring they can supply markets during periods when 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 require local traders to prioritise trading with local producers. Import licences can only be issued when local production is low. 

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.