2013-11-22Mathias Haufiku RUNDU - Statistics from the Namibian Agronomic Board on the production and consumption of horticultural products indicate that Namibia still imports more than it can produce. Between April 2012 and March 2013, the country only produced 20 076 tonnes of horticultural produce, but it consumed 55 032 tonnes of produce. This means that the country imported 34 956 tonnes of produce from South Africa and elsewhere. Government has of late stepped up efforts to boost local production in the form of increased levies on imports and more importantly obliging all importers to ensure that a minimum of 39 percentof their horticultural produce sales consist of Namibian grown products, prior to qualifying for animport permit, allowing for the import of the remaining portion of fresh produce not currently available in the local market. With over 10 green schemes countrywide and the construction of fresh produce hubs at Rundu and Ongwediva, local producers now enjoy favourable conditions to produce like never before. Nevertheless, agriculture experts say it will be extremely difficult for Namibia to produce fully at a level that can satisfy local consumption, because some of the horticultural produce cannot be grown in the country due to the climate. However, in order to increase local production, sustainable agricultural practices need to be stimulated, says the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB). The NAB’s national horticulture manager, Fidelis Nyambe Mwazi, made the remarks in Rundu, when he made a presentation on the role of the Market Share Promotion Scheme in relation to the Fresh Produce Business Hubs on Monday during the launch of the Marketing and Trade Policy of the government. Mwazi opined that the sales of locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables can be promoted by potentially restricting the direct importation of products by wholesalers, catering companies and retailers. “The increase in local production would ensure enough supply of local fresh produce to the fresh produce business hubs,” said Mwazi. Mwazi further said the fresh produce busines hubs provide an enabling marketing environmentthat benefits both producers and traders in particular and ensures food security for the country in general. Mwazi also said that in order to enhance local production of horticultural products and to encourage import substitution, there is a need to increase yields by manipulating seasonality and increasing yields by increasing capacity. By Mathias Haufiku 2013-11-22Mathias Haufiku
