N$10m relief for small-scale producers
ILENI NANDJATO
ONDANGWA
The agriculture ministry has embarked on a N$10 million national horticulture support programme to empower small-scale producers.
The project is aimed to benefit 1 300 small-scale producers throughout the country with seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, tillage and technical support.
The subsidiary programme targets producers with an average production land size of 0.01 to 0.5 hectares.
Ministry executive director Percy Misika said producers will be assisted with irrigation materials, garden tools and shade nets to ensure suitable access, availability and use of essential farm inputs.
Programme objective
“The overall programme objective is to ensure market-driven production of the Namibian horticulture sector through improved productivity, product quality and competitiveness to ensure food, nutrition security and employment creation,” Misika said.
“This can only be achieved through availability of essential farm inputs, technical skills and access to the market.”
According to Misika, the government will provide a 50% subsidy on seeds and pesticides, 60% on fertiliser and 65% on irrigation and shade net materials.
“The funds for the subsidy will be transferred to regional councils who then will create awareness on the programme and register interested farmers.
“Regions will convene meetings with retailers to identify and register retailers who will partake in programme implementation.
“Vouchers will be issued to registered and approved farmers, while subsidy vouchers will be issued against quotations obtained by farmers. Retailers will redeem the balance with regional councils,” he explained.
Producers to be certified
Misika said the beneficiaries are existing producers with reliable water sources such as boreholes, dams or rivers, and will be certified by the agriculture ministry or the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta).
“These producers should sign a contract with Amta for regular inspection on good agricultural practices compliance, and they should also go through a horticulture training programme as per the Namibia Training Authority,” he said.
The project is expected to benefit 100 producers in the Kunene Region, 221 in Omusati, 58 in Oshana, 67 in Ohangwena, 72 in Oshikoto, 71 in Kavango West, 44 in Kavango East, 438 in Zambezi, 84 in Erongo, 33 in Otjozondjupa, 24 in Omaheke, 46 in Khomas, 20 in Hardap and 25 in //Karas.
The directorate of agricultural production, extension and engineering services will oversee programme implementation in the regions with regional councils, while the directorate of research and development will take the lead in all research-related aspects, including soil analysis and fertility management.
ONDANGWA
The agriculture ministry has embarked on a N$10 million national horticulture support programme to empower small-scale producers.
The project is aimed to benefit 1 300 small-scale producers throughout the country with seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, tillage and technical support.
The subsidiary programme targets producers with an average production land size of 0.01 to 0.5 hectares.
Ministry executive director Percy Misika said producers will be assisted with irrigation materials, garden tools and shade nets to ensure suitable access, availability and use of essential farm inputs.
Programme objective
“The overall programme objective is to ensure market-driven production of the Namibian horticulture sector through improved productivity, product quality and competitiveness to ensure food, nutrition security and employment creation,” Misika said.
“This can only be achieved through availability of essential farm inputs, technical skills and access to the market.”
According to Misika, the government will provide a 50% subsidy on seeds and pesticides, 60% on fertiliser and 65% on irrigation and shade net materials.
“The funds for the subsidy will be transferred to regional councils who then will create awareness on the programme and register interested farmers.
“Regions will convene meetings with retailers to identify and register retailers who will partake in programme implementation.
“Vouchers will be issued to registered and approved farmers, while subsidy vouchers will be issued against quotations obtained by farmers. Retailers will redeem the balance with regional councils,” he explained.
Producers to be certified
Misika said the beneficiaries are existing producers with reliable water sources such as boreholes, dams or rivers, and will be certified by the agriculture ministry or the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta).
“These producers should sign a contract with Amta for regular inspection on good agricultural practices compliance, and they should also go through a horticulture training programme as per the Namibia Training Authority,” he said.
The project is expected to benefit 100 producers in the Kunene Region, 221 in Omusati, 58 in Oshana, 67 in Ohangwena, 72 in Oshikoto, 71 in Kavango West, 44 in Kavango East, 438 in Zambezi, 84 in Erongo, 33 in Otjozondjupa, 24 in Omaheke, 46 in Khomas, 20 in Hardap and 25 in //Karas.
The directorate of agricultural production, extension and engineering services will oversee programme implementation in the regions with regional councils, while the directorate of research and development will take the lead in all research-related aspects, including soil analysis and fertility management.
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