Windhoek
Every year, the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) brings the horticulture industry together to recognise their hard work, innovation and ingenuity in their efforts to provide the Namibian market with locally produced fresh fruits and vegetables.
Again this takes place this year on September 23 in Noordoewer in the #Karas Region. Winners will be awarded in the categories for 2015 Master Horticulture Farmer in the Emerging, Medium and Large Scale categories, and 2015 Master Horticulture Trader in Fresh Produce in the Small, Medium, Large, Very Large and Mega categories.
Collaboration between the NAB, Agriculture Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), Agribusdev and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), has resulted in the success of the MSP having increased from a mere 5 percent ten years ago, to its present 41.5 percent. This remarkable feat is testimony to the common goal of producers and traders, caterers and retailers of fresh horticulture produce – and of course, consumers – to support local as much as possible.
The theme for the 2015 National Horticulture Day is, ‘Soil – building a productive, food secure Namibia from the ground up’. The theme follows on the 68th United Nations General Assembly Declaration of 2015 as the International Year of Soils (IYS). The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations is nominated to implement the IYS 2015 and will also participate in the 2015 National Horticulture Day. In terms of section 9 of the Agronomic Industry Act, the objectives of the NAB are to promote the agronomic industry and to facilitate the production, marketing and processing of controlled products in Namibia.
The full programme for this year’s event is:
• Monday, September 21, 17:00 – 20:00: Management Meeting: National Association of Horticultural Producers (NAHOP)
• Tuesday, September 22, 08:00 – 17:00 National Horticulture Task Team Meeting (NHTT). In parallel: Horticulture Production Training Day In parallel: Grape Farm Visit
• Wednesday, September 23, 09:00 – 17:00 Official National Horticulture Day and Award Ceremony
• Thursday, September 24, 08:00 – 12:00: AGM: National Association of Horticultural Producers (NAHOP)
Enquiries should be addressed to: Georgine Windswaai, e-mail georgine@nammic.com.na or call 061 – 379 500.