Silos in Tsandi

Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Marco Hausiku inaugurated a new 3000 metric tonnes grain storage facility at Tsandi in the Omusati Region last week. Since 2008, the government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has constructed and continued to expand National Strategic Food Reserves or Silos as they are also known, in all the crop producing regions.
The silos are food storage facilities for cereals such as Millet (Mahangu), Maize, Wheat and Rice. National Strategic Food Reserves are established for purposes of guaranteeing food security at national and household level, in times of need. They procure grain from local producers, thereby providing a guaranteed market for local crop growers. The establishment of the National Strategic Food Reserves are in line with the SADC Dar-Es-Salaam Declaration that calls for the establishment of National Strategic Grain Reserves and Regional Food Reserve Facilities in the SADC countries.
Speaking at the occasion, the deputy Prime Minister, Hon Marco Hausiko stated that any nation which is unable to produce enough food for itself, shall remain vulnerable to external shocks and potential internal unrest. “It is therefore absolutely important, that food production be stimulated across the whole country, in order to maintain our national pride and to withstand all negative elements that could stifle internal stability,” the deputy premier said. Hausiku said the inauguration of the National Strategic Food Reserves is a clear testimony of government’s commitment towards ensuring food security, as articulated in Vision 2030 and National Development Plan 4.
The silos are meant to ensure food security at national and household levels in times of need and to stimulate food production through the procurement of surplus food for the subsistence farmers, the Green Scheme project as well as commercial farmers. Currently, the silos in Katima Mulilo (Caprivi Region) have a capacity of 6000 MT, Okongo (Ohangwena Region) has 500 MT, Omuthiya (Oshikoto Region) will have 500 MT, Rundu (Kavango Region) has 4000 MT and Tsandi (Omusati Region) has 3000 metric tons.