Poultry production reaches N$1.74b in 2024
Securing a fair market share
Organising farmers in poultry production has the potential to yield numerous positive outcomes.
The Namibian poultry industry’s production value reached N$1.74 billion last year, representing an approximate 13% increase from the N$1.5 billion recorded in 2023.
Agribank’s Technical Advisor for Crops and Poultry, Hanks Saisai, said this is according to the Namibian Poultry Producers’ Association (PPA).
He stated that the sector now stands as the second-largest contributor to Namibia’s agricultural production, trailing only behind the cattle industry, which recorded an estimated N$3.2 billion in 2024.
Saisai noted that, with poultry products (eggs and meat) being among the most affordable sources of protein for many Namibian households, this presents an ideal opportunity for local poultry farmers to become organised and secure a fair share of the market for these essential products.
He emphasised that, as the poultry industry continues to grow, it is essential for all poultry farmers to first register as producers with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB).
“Moreover, poultry farmers should also register as members of the PPA. This will allow the regulator and the association to determine the precise number of poultry farmers in each region and the volume of produce they can offer monthly,” he said.
Saisai added that through the Market Share Promotion scheme, the association can collaborate with the regulator to increase the local production quota.
“Additionally, major producers can subcontract small-scale farmers to supply them with eggs and meat,” he said.
He explained that such an arrangement could create a reliable and sustainable market for small producers, providing them with an opportunity to expand their production capacity.
Alternatively, regional farmers could form co-operatives to purchase inputs such as chicks, hens, feed, vaccines, antibiotics, disinfectants, and supplements in bulk, said Saisai.
“This strategy could potentially lower individual farmers' input costs, as many can benefit from discounts offered by input suppliers when purchasing in bulk.”
He added that farmers can also share the transportation costs of these inputs from suppliers to distribution points in their respective regions.
“This will enable smallholder farmers to significantly reduce input costs and gain a better competitive advantage to sustain their enterprises, as the cost of production per unit will be lowered.”
Marketing
On the marketing side, Saisai said that farmers involved in the poultry trade can secure a fair market share by forming a marketing co-operative that allows them to pool resources and supply products to both formal markets—such as wholesalers, retailers, tourism establishments, and government institutions—and informal markets, including street vendors.
“This co-operative will ensure that the three crucial aspects of markets are addressed: quality, quantity, and consistency. It will help farmers understand the quantities and standards required on a monthly basis.”
He gave an example: if a market demands 10,000 eggs per month, farmers could pool resources from their respective enterprises to meet the target. Upon receiving payment, the co-operative could then distribute income proportionally, based on the number of eggs each farmer supplied.
“Organising farmers in poultry production has the potential to yield numerous positive outcomes. With support from all industry stakeholders—including farmers, regulators, and associations—such initiatives can foster sector growth and unlock hidden markets by promoting self-reliance,” he said.
Saisai concluded that being organised also ensures consistency, quality, and quantity requirements are met, while reducing individual farmers’ operational costs.
He noted that, for regulators, this structure presents an opportunity to access accurate data on the production capacity of local farmers and to explore ways of reducing reliance on imports by allocating additional quotas to domestic producers.
Agribank’s Technical Advisor for Crops and Poultry, Hanks Saisai, said this is according to the Namibian Poultry Producers’ Association (PPA).
He stated that the sector now stands as the second-largest contributor to Namibia’s agricultural production, trailing only behind the cattle industry, which recorded an estimated N$3.2 billion in 2024.
Saisai noted that, with poultry products (eggs and meat) being among the most affordable sources of protein for many Namibian households, this presents an ideal opportunity for local poultry farmers to become organised and secure a fair share of the market for these essential products.
He emphasised that, as the poultry industry continues to grow, it is essential for all poultry farmers to first register as producers with the Livestock and Livestock Products Board (LLPB).
“Moreover, poultry farmers should also register as members of the PPA. This will allow the regulator and the association to determine the precise number of poultry farmers in each region and the volume of produce they can offer monthly,” he said.
Saisai added that through the Market Share Promotion scheme, the association can collaborate with the regulator to increase the local production quota.
“Additionally, major producers can subcontract small-scale farmers to supply them with eggs and meat,” he said.
He explained that such an arrangement could create a reliable and sustainable market for small producers, providing them with an opportunity to expand their production capacity.
Alternatively, regional farmers could form co-operatives to purchase inputs such as chicks, hens, feed, vaccines, antibiotics, disinfectants, and supplements in bulk, said Saisai.
“This strategy could potentially lower individual farmers' input costs, as many can benefit from discounts offered by input suppliers when purchasing in bulk.”
He added that farmers can also share the transportation costs of these inputs from suppliers to distribution points in their respective regions.
“This will enable smallholder farmers to significantly reduce input costs and gain a better competitive advantage to sustain their enterprises, as the cost of production per unit will be lowered.”
Marketing
On the marketing side, Saisai said that farmers involved in the poultry trade can secure a fair market share by forming a marketing co-operative that allows them to pool resources and supply products to both formal markets—such as wholesalers, retailers, tourism establishments, and government institutions—and informal markets, including street vendors.
“This co-operative will ensure that the three crucial aspects of markets are addressed: quality, quantity, and consistency. It will help farmers understand the quantities and standards required on a monthly basis.”
He gave an example: if a market demands 10,000 eggs per month, farmers could pool resources from their respective enterprises to meet the target. Upon receiving payment, the co-operative could then distribute income proportionally, based on the number of eggs each farmer supplied.
“Organising farmers in poultry production has the potential to yield numerous positive outcomes. With support from all industry stakeholders—including farmers, regulators, and associations—such initiatives can foster sector growth and unlock hidden markets by promoting self-reliance,” he said.
Saisai concluded that being organised also ensures consistency, quality, and quantity requirements are met, while reducing individual farmers’ operational costs.
He noted that, for regulators, this structure presents an opportunity to access accurate data on the production capacity of local farmers and to explore ways of reducing reliance on imports by allocating additional quotas to domestic producers.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article