Best horticulture producers awarded 0 The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) hosted the 11th annual Namibian Horticulture Day recently to recognise the best horticultural producers and traders in 2016.The event awards and spreads awareness of excellent farming practices among small, medium and large-scale producers, as well as traders.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Anna Shiweda highlighted the fact that Namibian horticultural production and trading has grown to supply 44% of Namibia’s market demand for fresh produce in the formal horticulture market, up from just 5% in 2002.
She attributed this to the excellence of producers and traders, under the auspices of NAB.
She expressed gratitude to NAB for continuing to bring the industry together, and for showing leadership in recognising the contributions that producers make toward producing food for Namibia.
Shiweda went on to encourage initiatives from agronomic unions and associations that will keep horticultural production at an optimum level.
The event was attended by 245 producers and traders, and was hosted on farm Oshivelo in the Oshikoto Region- the winner of the large scale producer category.
The winning producers were Laurentia Nakandanga of the Kavango East Region in the small-scale category, Andreas Ashimbanga of the Omusati Region in the medium-scale category, and Jan Cronje of the Oshikoto Region in the large-scale category.
Geka Trading Enterprises and Sikondo Green Scheme Irrigation Project received an award for selling the highest volume of fresh produce to the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) Hub.
Winning traders were identified on the basis of achieving the highest percentage of local produce compared to imports in their size categories.
In terms of NAB’s Market Share Promotion, which is implemented by AMTA, traders in horticulture fresh produce are required to buy a certain percentage locally, which is currently set at 44%, before they can qualify for import permits for horticulture products.
Traders are a vital link in developing the horticultural subsector, as they are a key element in bringing local farmers’ fresh produce to the consumers.
The winning traders were Stampriet Farmer’s Market in the Mega Trader Category, Okuryangava Fresh Produce in the Very Large Trader Category, Brenner’s Fruit in the Large Trader Category, Trust Market in the Medium Trader Category, and Zaheer Traders in the Small Trader Category.
The AMTA Hub Wholesale Agent of the Year was won by Stampriet Farmer’s Market and Iihape Marketing and Promotions was recognised as the AMTA Hub Commission Marketing Agent of the Year.
NAB Chairperson Ms Sirkka Iileka, emphasised the importance of producer and trader associations, saying that the voices of these associations play a vital role in developing national policy for horticulture and agriculture.
The event also doubled as a learning opportunity to improve horticultural practices. The 2016 theme was ‘Better Fresh Produce for Better Business’, with an emphasis on standards, quality, packaging and sales.