By Risco Lumamezi
CHIEF Executive Officer of Namibia Agronomic Board, Mr. Christof Brock has refuted allegations that the government was not helping farmers who grow maize in Namibia by providing them with a subsidy.
The crux of the matter has been barked by a Union representing farmers in Caprivi, as there were divisions among communal farmers on who benefi ts most from government either those who grow Mahangu or who grow white maize.
Maize growers in Caprivi region are at loggerheads since 2002, have been calling government and Namibia Agronomic
Board (NAB) to allow farmers to sell their maize at government grain storages that are in rural areas.
According to farmers, transport cost and other added costs must be paid by the government.
Mr. Brock said: “There’s no subsidy to grain and livestock, we are in one country where there’s no trade restrictions”
He told the Caprivi Vision to follow the matter with the ministry of Agriculture for more comments.
Efforts to get response proved futile as the Acting Director of Extensions Sophi Kasheela was out of offi ce.
“But what I know is that government provide a subsidy for fertilizer at a cost of N$50,00 per 50 kilograms. It is only
limited for first three hectors of maize and mahangu seeds.” He said.
Likwama Farmers Union has been advocating government to allow subsistence farmers in Caprivi to sell their white maize directly to local millers.
NAB Chief confi rmed that, though none of the millers allowed producing super maize meal in Caprivi before, except Namib Mills.
One miller has been approved by the board to produce super maize meal for sale in May 2008. According to Brock, This
is a response to the plight of farmers in Caprivi region.
Farmers said, pressure for the system to change follows bumper harvest after excellent rains during the growing season
and infl ux of huge quantities of drought relief aid dispatched in the Caprivi during recent fl oods.
Mr.Brock described that these changes are worthwhile if they will be excellent rain, because farmers will be expected to
plough and harvest more as the scenario is also in line with the floor price of maize in the country.
“Floor price is projected and based on a five years South African Safex Agricultural Division of South African Stock
Exchange” said Brock.
The prediction is marked that it will be higher than agreed floor price, and this is only applicable to Mahangu and
Maize Farmers country wide.
Farmers in Caprivi lashed out that, flood aid to fl ood victims would create dependency because people are not buying
maize meal. This can have an adverse effect on the local economy.
ENDs…//
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