Affirmative Repositioning parliamentarian Vaino Hangula is seeking clarity from the government on plans to procure and store locally produced maize amid expectations of a bumper harvest this year.
In a notice of questions submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday, Hangula said recent good rainfall has improved prospects for farmers, particularly in communal areas, with white maize production projected to exceed 100 000 tonnes.
He argued that the government should use the opportunity to strengthen strategic food reserves and reduce reliance on imported food aid.
Hangula’s concerns follow complaints from some drought relief beneficiaries about the rice distributed through government programmes being of poor quality, claiming it turned into porridge when cooked and describing it as “plastic rice”.
The lawmaker also raised concerns about reports that produce at the Namibia Correctional Service farm at Divundu was at risk of spoilage due to inadequate storage facilities.
He wants agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani and prime minister Elijah Ngurare to explain what mechanisms and financial resources have been put in place to procure surplus maize directly from communal and commercial farmers, and indicate when such procurement will begin.
Hangula further wants the government to confirm whether storage challenges at the Divundu farm have been resolved and to provide details on any interventions undertaken, including funding, rehabilitation or construction of storage facilities.
“The government must tell us the total grain storage capacity, broken down by region and facility type, current utilisation levels and any projected shortfall in accommodating the anticipated harvest,” he added.
