Silos running low on grain

At the end of last month, Namibia’s grain storage facilities stock levels were at only 16% of their overall holding capacity.The National Strategic Food Reserves (NSFR), which are located in different areas of the country, had a total stock level of 3 560 tonnes by 31 July this year.The total holding capacity of these facilities is 22 900 tonnes, according to the Crop Prospects Food Security and Drought Situation Report for July, which was just issued by the agriculture ministry.Distributed as relief food According to the report, the current stock in the silos is a carryover from the last season.Meanwhile, the national grain procurement season commenced in May 2023 to stock the silos – the process will run until October 2023, or until such time as all local production is absorbed.According to the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), the white maize intake commenced on 14 June, whereas pearl millet intake commenced from 1 July."It is important to note that much of the grain that could have been stored in the silos from last year is milled and distributed directly to needy people as part of the drought relief food assistance by the government."Furthermore, some of the grains were sold to local small-scale millers with no or limited capacity to import.Shortfall calculatedThis year, AMTA intended to procure 10 125 tonnes of grain, 2 250 tonnes of pearl millet, and 7 875 tonnes of white maize from local production during the 2023 grain marketing season.However, due to a poor harvest, the volume of pearl millet was reduced, whereas white maize was increased due to a better harvest from maize-producing areas, including the green schemes.Meanwhile, during the marketing season from 1 May to 30 April 2024, locally available cereals for the current marketing period are estimated at 192 700 tonnes."This indicates that the local production for this season is only about 52% of the total national cereal requirement."The report states a shortfall of 179 100 tonnes is estimated, which is 48% of the national cereal requirementThe deficit, consisting of 50 100 tonnes of wheat, 70,500 tonnes of maize and 58 600 tonnes of pearl millet and sorghum, is expected to be covered through commercial imports.As it stands, there is still a total deficit of about 173 800 tonnes of cereals that still needs to be covered through commercial imports during the 2023–2024 marketing year.

Silos running low on grain

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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Silos running low on grain

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Namibian Sun 2025-11-05

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