Africa-Press – Namibia. Oshana farmers have seized the opportunity to sell their surplus mahangu grain to the Agricultural Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA).
This follows a good harvest season, and AMTA’s continuous call for farmers to capitalise on the opportunity to market their grain and produce through the agency.
Steven Iimbili, who oversees silo management at AMTA, said this initiative was launched in response to favourable rainfall, which resulted in abundant yields.
Community members were invited to sell their mahangu to the agency as part of a broader effort to ensure national food security. “The goal is to make sure Namibia is prepared for future food shortages. By storing the grain, we are creating a strategic food reserve the country can rely on in times of need,” Iimbili said.
He noted the grain is stored in silos located in Ongwediva, Omuthiya, Tsandi and Okongo, forming part of the National Strategic Food Reserve initiative.
In addition to boosting national reserves, the programme is designed to provide a reliable market for local farmers. “Producers of mahangu and maize should not struggle to find buyers. This is a platform to support them financially and allow them to continue farming,” Iimbili added.
Participation in the programme requires farmers to register through the Namibian Agronomic Board. Registration began in July and will continue until the market’s mahangu supply is exhausted.
Iipondo Shikongo, one of the farmers, who sold several bags of mahangu, praised the programme. “This year’s harvest has been excellent. If you are a mahangu farmer with a surplus, it makes sense to keep enough for your household and sell the surplus to AMTA,” he said.
Shikongo also highlighted the economic benefits of the initiative, noting it is role in reducing poverty. “We are grateful to the government for creating such an opportunity. It has really helped many of us earn a decent income.”
Community members are encouraged to continue registering and taking advantage of the opportunity to sell their mahangu to the agency while the programme remains in existence.
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