Mahangu import requirements from Angola relaxed
As drought looms
The agriculture ministry foresees increased sourcing of mahangu grains and beans from neighbouring countries such as Angola.
Namibia will allow the import of mahangu in certain quantities from Angola to be exempt from phytosanitary requirements at the Oshikango border post.
A phytosanitary certificate verifies agricultural products have been inspected and are pest- and disease-free.
Agriculture executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said due to the anticipated drought in Namibia that may impact crop yields, the agriculture ministry foresees increased activities in sourcing mahangu grains and beans from neighbouring countries such as Angola.
She said small-scale importers are therefore notified that the import, export and transit rules and procedures pertaining to controlled agronomic product permits into Namibia for commercial and personal use during the open border period and not the close border period are in place.
Exempt
She said small-scale importers are allowed to import between 250 kg (five bags of 50 kg) and 500 kg (10 bags of 50 kg) of grain per person per month for commercial use and a maximum of 200 kg per person per month for personal use.
Nghituwamata said the mahangu grains and beans purchased from Angola within a radius of 60 km as per the mentioned quantities, mainly for own consumption, are exempt from the phytosanitary requirements.
"We have noticed the need to allow our people to import these products without putting them under the pressure of requirements that they may not be able to afford."
Nghituwamata said this arrangement is only applicable at entry points on the Namibian side and might not apply to Angola.
Public notification
The ministry advised anyone who requires an import permit that the issuance of import permits will be facilitated at the ministry’s department of agriculture, production, extension and engineering services at Omafo, Ongwediva and Outapi.
The ministry also advised the public to ensure that mahangu grains and beans imported into Namibia within the mentioned radius are new grain harvests, free from pests, disease, debris, and spoils, and will be physically inspected at the point of entry.
Namibia, as a member of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, undertakes to implement common and effective measures on a national and international level to prevent the importation and distribution of pests of plants and plant products.
A phytosanitary certificate verifies agricultural products have been inspected and are pest- and disease-free.
Agriculture executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said due to the anticipated drought in Namibia that may impact crop yields, the agriculture ministry foresees increased activities in sourcing mahangu grains and beans from neighbouring countries such as Angola.
She said small-scale importers are therefore notified that the import, export and transit rules and procedures pertaining to controlled agronomic product permits into Namibia for commercial and personal use during the open border period and not the close border period are in place.
Exempt
She said small-scale importers are allowed to import between 250 kg (five bags of 50 kg) and 500 kg (10 bags of 50 kg) of grain per person per month for commercial use and a maximum of 200 kg per person per month for personal use.
Nghituwamata said the mahangu grains and beans purchased from Angola within a radius of 60 km as per the mentioned quantities, mainly for own consumption, are exempt from the phytosanitary requirements.
"We have noticed the need to allow our people to import these products without putting them under the pressure of requirements that they may not be able to afford."
Nghituwamata said this arrangement is only applicable at entry points on the Namibian side and might not apply to Angola.
Public notification
The ministry advised anyone who requires an import permit that the issuance of import permits will be facilitated at the ministry’s department of agriculture, production, extension and engineering services at Omafo, Ongwediva and Outapi.
The ministry also advised the public to ensure that mahangu grains and beans imported into Namibia within the mentioned radius are new grain harvests, free from pests, disease, debris, and spoils, and will be physically inspected at the point of entry.
Namibia, as a member of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, undertakes to implement common and effective measures on a national and international level to prevent the importation and distribution of pests of plants and plant products.
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