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Agriculture ministry seals deal with agencies

Mrs Sirkaa Likeka, Chairperson Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) and Mr Abraham Nehemia, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), Chairperson of AMTA and AGRIBUSDEV at the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry and its agencies last week Friday. (Photograph by Mandisa Rasmeni).

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) signed an agreement between the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), and the Agricultural Business Development Agency (AGRIBUSDEV) last week Friday.

Cabinet approved the establishment of AMTA to deal with marketing, processing and handling of agronomic products while AGRLIBUSDEV was assigned to deal with producing agronomic products.
Mr Abraham Nehemia, acting permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), Chairperson of AMTA and AGRIBUSDEV said that as part of the operationalisation of this decision, they need to create the necessary legal framework which would enable these agencies to carry out statuary functions. “The functions of AMTA and AGRIBUSDEVl were reinforced under the Government Notice No. 247 of 1 August 2014,” he added.
Nehemia said that it was a very important and urgent undertaking, which is expected to deliver tangible benefits to the vast majority of local farmers especially those from the previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
“This agreement shall guide the joint implementation of activities as contained in the Agronomic Industry Acto 20 of 1992, and shall remain in force until such a time when the Act shall be repealed,” said Nehemia. He also emphasised that the agreement aims to remove duplication of activities between NAB, AMTA and AGRIBUSDEV.

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