Agra celebrates 35 years in business
The Gobabis branch staff gathered around their birthday celebration’s table and cake.
Like every year, Agra clients were given the opportunity to join in the celebrations by offering a huge specials promotion with many products available at low prices for two weeks; decorated branches and birthday cake for clients.
In Windhoek, Agra suppliers Namib Mills and Bokomo sponsored cakes for the branches at the Auas Valley Shopping Mall and at Agra Hyper while the branch management of the other branches used their creativity to offer beautiful true Agra birthday cakes.
Agra looks back at 35 eventful years as agricultural business in Namibia and with more than 4300 shareholders; about 700 employees, 19 branches countrywide and an annual turnover of over N$1,9 billion, it has established itself as a significant business having an impact on the economy.
Agra has grown tremendously since it took over the assets of the South African business Boere Koöperatief Beperk and is still indispensable in the agricultural industry, playing a crucial role as the provider of inputs to the agricultural industry, market of livestock and local Karakul farmers’ Swakara pelts.
Through ProVision, consulting services providing expert advice, mentoring and training.
Highlights that Agra looks back to during the past 10 years include the following:
2008: The Agra Bank Windhoek Ring and multi-purpose facility was opened at the Windhoek Show grounds.
2009: Agra celebrated the re-opening of the upgraded retail branches in Otjiwarongo and Mariental; Agra Professional Services, now Agra ProVision was established to play an important role in development and improving of productivity in the agricultural industry.
2011: Major upgrades were done at Keetmanshoop and Otjiwarongo branches and a new retail branch was established in Oshivelo.
2013: Agra was converted from a cooperative to a public company; the major upgrade and expansion of the Auas Valley Shopping Mall started; the construction of the new Agra Opuwo branch started as well as the construction of the Agra Hyper centre in the Lafrenz Industrial Area in Windhoek started. In 2013 Agra also took over the Rosenthal group of companies.
2014: The Karasburg and Rehoboth branches received major upgrades; a new and extensive Safari Den shop opened on the top floor of the renovated Auas Valley Shopping Mall and Agra’s veterinary and pet supplies store, Auas Vet Med, moved to a larger shop in the mall. The opening of the new Opuwo branch was celebrated.
This year, Agra celebrated the site handover of the Agra Hyper development and opened their largest branch at the centre.
Meanwhile, Agra is positive about the future. Being conscious of the difficult farming conditions and the cyclical nature thereof, Agra has diversified its business to be able to provide for a large clientele and ensure its sustainability by a more diverse and constant income stream. Some of the smaller Agra branches are on the priority list for upgrading and expansion and Agra is also in the process of establishing a branch in Rundu, which will be opened later this year.
