GOBABIS - Indigenous charcoal producers have urged the government to facilitate their entry into the international charcoal markets and provide assistance with the necessary equipment.

The appeal was made on Monday during the Namibian Indigenous Charcoal Communities and Producers Association Needs Identification workshop held in Gobabis.

Ndjoura Tjozongoro, a charcoal producer from the Omaheke region, noted that both commercial and resettled farmers venturing into charcoal production require support in terms of equipment and financing. He said this is especially so for aspiring producers looking to establish successful charcoal businesses as it involves substantial investment.

“Charcoal producers are encountering challenges in accessing the market. Despite being producers and commercial farmers, we lack the necessary equipment. We do not have the capital to acquire essential equipment such as trucks, tractors, and startup capital for our businesses,” he said.

Tjozongoro underscored the importance of the workshop organised by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade and its partners.

“We have so many challenges and the ministry and its partners saw the need to invite us to come and talk to them about the problems we face. Maybe they will assist us, even if is not with money, but with training and equipment,” he stated.

Shumon Khalid, a business support and value chain expert from the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade, explained that the workshop’s primary focus was the value chain in Namibia and how charcoal exports can be supported.

“The government has identified charcoal as a potentially strong value chain, supported by evidence indicating industry growth and global market expansion. New markets are emerging worldwide, presenting significant potential for Namibia,” Khalid stated.

He emphasised the need to explore ways of obtaining information and raising awareness about accessing these growing markets among producers.

The two-day workshop was amongst others aimed at to addressing barriers to entry and offering insights on supporting charcoal production with marketing, financing, and promotion. -Nampa