Farmers' maize left uncollected as subsidy stalls Amta

The Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta) says a delayed government subsidy is preventing it from procuring grain from small-scale farmers, leaving crops uncollected in the fields and growers facing mounting losses.

At the Uvhungu Vhungu Green Scheme in Kavango East, maize meant to have been harvested in early May is still standing, with 60 hectares cultivated by ten small-scale farmers remaining unharvested months later.

The farmers have appealed for urgent government intervention, warning that delays are damaging both yields and incomes as crops deteriorate in the fields.

"Our livelihoods depend on this," said Festus Nampala, one of the affected farmers. "The cobs are ready, insects are already affecting the crop, and the moisture content is declining. If the government does not intervene, the situation will only get worse."

Nampala said farmers had expected to market their maize shortly after it reached maturity in early May, but weeks later they are still waiting for procurement to begin.

"Up to now, we have had no income coming into our pockets," he said.

"By this time, we could already be smiling and going to the bank, but now our children are also suffering because we can no longer support them," he said.

He appealed to government to intervene urgently and enable Amta to procure their grain before further losses are incurred.

Another farmer, Hedimbi Johannes, said the prolonged delay is steadily reducing the value of the crop, explaining that maize left standing for too long loses moisture, resulting in lower weight when it is eventually sold.

"This maize was supposed to be harvested already, but it has now been left standing for too long," he said. "When the moisture content becomes too low, the grain weighs less. Even if you harvested a good crop, you end up selling fewer tonnes because of the reduced weight."

He warned that the approaching July winds could cause the maize plants to lodge before harvesting begins, making the crop more difficult to harvest and increasing production losses.

"We are simply appealing to the government to assist us through Amta so that it can buy our maize before more of it is lost," Johannes said.

Working on it

Amta’s acting manager for marketing and corporate communications, Pasval Elijah, told Namibian Sun this week "the delay in the commencement of grain procurement is linked to the disbursement of the government subsidy required to fund grain procurement for the marketing season and not to any operational failure on Amta's part".

She said the agency is engaging the ministry of agriculture to secure the necessary funding.

Amta acknowledged that the delay has placed small-scale farmers under financial pressure but expressed confidence that it would still be able to procure grain during the current marketing season, which runs until the end of October.

She said the agency and ministry are working “to ensure that grain procurement and uptake from producers are managed in a manner that minimises adverse impacts on small-scale farmers”.

The agency also encouraged producers to explore alternative market opportunities, including private-sector buyers, to reduce reliance on a single off-taker while discussions over the subsidy continue.