White maize production takes a dip

THE country will continue to allow white maize imports after this year’s harvest as it will not be able to meet the monthly demand, the Namibian Agronomic Board said last week.

The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) said this in a notice to millers after the country’s projected 2019 white maize production from both rain-fed and irrigation projects fell drastically.

The country will be unable to meet the average 14 500 tonnes monthly white maize demand, and maize deliveries to the market will come at a slower rate than before.

NAB said during the 2019 marketing period, which falls between May and September, restricted imports of white maize will still be allowed into the country.

NAB is a regulatory body mandated to promote the agronomic industry and facilitate the production, processing and storage of grain in the country.

The board’s chief executive officer, Fidelis Mwazi, explained that the 2019 maize production period could be regarded as having been hit by a severe drought, and therefore very small quantities of white maize from rain-fed projects will be expected, compared to previous periods.

The latest maize production forecast for 2019 indicated that the country will harvest 35 530 tonnes of white maize, 2 746, 8% of which will come from rain-fed farms.

The projected production of 35 530 tonnes is just 28% of the country’s total white maize demand of around 127 766 tonnes, based on the 2017 total country demand.

Total white maize production in 2017 was at 76 660 tonnes, which was 60% of what the country needed, while in 2018, the production fell by 25% to 57 463 tonnes, leaving a demand deficit of around 70 303 tonnes.

“Each miller will receive an allocation based on the expected harvest. Millers should submit monthly returns to the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta),” Mwazi urged.

He added that the NAB and Amta will closely monitor the monthly imports of millers to ensure that local grain producers still have a secure market.

Amta spokesperson Meke Namindo confirmed last week that if the need arises after harvests, the imports of maize will be allowed to continue.

“Like in previous years, if there is insufficient grain on the domestic market, borders will be opened for grain importation. But controls are always put in place to make sure the trade regulations are adhered to by all role players at all times,” she added.

The government frequently monitors the availability of staple products such as white maize in the country, in order to decide whether to leave the borders open for imports or close them.

The closing of the borders allows local producers to effectively market their products and is usually done during the harvest season.

The production of white maize was initially predicted at 59 000 tonnes, but this target was, however, not realised, forcing the ministry to leave the border open for the much sought-after commodity.

The border will, however, remain closed for the import of mahangu, in order to assist surplus mahangu producers to market their grains.

The government established Amta to procure grains from the local producers for the National Strategic Food Reserve in order to support national food security.

The ministry promoted the production of mahangu and white maize through the implementation of the dry land crop production and the comprehensive conservation agriculture programmes during the 2018/2019 cropping season in order to ensure food security at both household and national levels.

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