Dairy industry faces dilemma
The weak economy, coupled with cheap South African milk imports, is slowly hampering the sustainability of the local dairy industry.
The grim situation that the dairy industry in the country is facing was recently discussed at the Dairy Producers' Association.
According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the meeting was held on 8 February and during this, the status quo in the sector became very clear during in-depth discussions with representatives in the sector.
Sales of Namibian produced milk are down and this can be ascribed to a struggling economy, together with the import of cheap milk from South Africa.
The growth of the industry is hampered by this and producers are staring a producer price reduction in the face. Producers are also warned not to produce more than a certain quota as this milk will most probably not be taken up in the market.
According to the NAU, on the one hand, local produce and value addition is high on everyone's agenda, but on the other hand cheap milk is allowed into the country with which Namibian producers cannot compete.
All the eyes and hopes of Namibian dairy producers are now on a draft amendment bill that is long overdue to be submitted to parliament this year in order to address the control over the import of dairy products into Namibia.
Meanwhile, the management of the Poultry Producers' Association last week held a meeting to discuss matters in the industry including a members' meeting and information day that is planned for next month.
According to the NAU this will take place on 15 March in Windhoek.
The information day not only targets current established poultry and egg producers, but also new and upcoming farmers.
The theme of this year's information day deals with the vision of the poultry industry to become self-sustainable within in line with Vision 2030 of the government.
Topics of the day will touch on diseases such as Avian flu, biosecurity matters, SME development programmes of Feedmaster, as well as action steps that have been taken in the industry so far to become self-sustainable.
The final programme will be communicated to members and will be posted in the media. Limited seats are available and interested persons must contact Rina Hough at 061-237838 or send a mail to [email protected].
STAFF REPORTER
According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the meeting was held on 8 February and during this, the status quo in the sector became very clear during in-depth discussions with representatives in the sector.
Sales of Namibian produced milk are down and this can be ascribed to a struggling economy, together with the import of cheap milk from South Africa.
The growth of the industry is hampered by this and producers are staring a producer price reduction in the face. Producers are also warned not to produce more than a certain quota as this milk will most probably not be taken up in the market.
According to the NAU, on the one hand, local produce and value addition is high on everyone's agenda, but on the other hand cheap milk is allowed into the country with which Namibian producers cannot compete.
All the eyes and hopes of Namibian dairy producers are now on a draft amendment bill that is long overdue to be submitted to parliament this year in order to address the control over the import of dairy products into Namibia.
Meanwhile, the management of the Poultry Producers' Association last week held a meeting to discuss matters in the industry including a members' meeting and information day that is planned for next month.
According to the NAU this will take place on 15 March in Windhoek.
The information day not only targets current established poultry and egg producers, but also new and upcoming farmers.
The theme of this year's information day deals with the vision of the poultry industry to become self-sustainable within in line with Vision 2030 of the government.
Topics of the day will touch on diseases such as Avian flu, biosecurity matters, SME development programmes of Feedmaster, as well as action steps that have been taken in the industry so far to become self-sustainable.
The final programme will be communicated to members and will be posted in the media. Limited seats are available and interested persons must contact Rina Hough at 061-237838 or send a mail to [email protected].
STAFF REPORTER
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