Amta records N$63 million loss

The Agro Marketing and Trading Agency (Amta) recorded a net deficit of close to N$63 million in the year 2015/16.This was announced by board chairperson Abraham Nehemia at the third Amta AGM held at Ongwediva yesterday.The loss of N$62 741 632 was N$59 563 708 more than the previous year's loss of N$3 177 924.According to Nehemia the deficit is attributed to the insufficient funding of the Amta budget, increases in operational costs, inflation-based salary adjustments, the appointment of border staff, staff promotions and transfers of staff from the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB).With a budget of close to N$200 million, the government subsidises Amta with N$20 million.The deficit excludes the N$61 983 490 Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) levy paid to Amta, which could not be recorded as an income but under liabilities as the money was only received after the financial period.Amta was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to act as an agent that collects levies on behalf of the agriculture ministry and in that process Amta had to increase its employees, which increased its costs too.Amta's staff increased from 126 to 168 employees in the year under review, which saw the employment cost rise from N$33 700 168 to N$63 336 169.Regarding Amta's performance in terms of carrying out its mandate - which is to coordinate and manage the marketing and trading of agricultural produce in Namibia - Nehemia said they experienced a number of challenges which affected their performance in the market.“The challenges we experienced are the insufficient grain supply for the National Strategic Food Reserve, which was due to the drought situation and limited irrigated land; inadequate throughput from agents; a limited number of marketing agents; seasonal over-supply of certain fresh produce; lack of long-term storage facilities for fresh produce; a shortfall in market-led production as well as poor quality of some [produce] delivered to the market,” Nehemia explained.Because of poor rainfall last year, there was a 23% lower grain quantity of 10 551 metric tons marketed to the reserve when compared to the 12 934 tons marketed the previous year.The fresh-produce hubs at Ongwediva and Rundu marketed 2 926 tons of produce valued at N$23 million.The deputy minister of agriculture, water and forestry, Anna Shiweda, said apart from looking at the positive strides made by Amta in terms of carrying out its mandate the challenges should also be identified and transformed into achievements.“Apart from only looking at the progress made, we shall and must also critically identify and at the same time reflect on the challenges that are impeding the achievements of desired results,” she said.Also in attendance were most of Namibia's regional governors, who expressed mixed sentiments about Amta when it comes to helping farmers export their products.The governors expressed concern about the disappointment farmers in the regions experience when their produce rots at the hubs.Kunene Region governor Angelika Muharukua urged the ministry to look at ways of establishing Green Schemes in her region, saying that there is plenty of water from the Kunene River.Omusati Region governor Erginus Endjala said those at the regional level were not considered when decisions were made in Windhoek.“You don't consult those at the regional level and only come implement the decisions you have taken there and when they fail, it now comes back to the regions which is not right, include the regional stakeholders,” Endjala said.//Karas Region governor Lucia Basson and Hardap governor Esme Isaacks sought clarity on who is mandated to control southern farms that export grapes and dates. KENYA KAMBOWE

Amta records N$63 million loss

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-14

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Amta records N$63 million loss

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-14

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