Horticulture producers recognised
Producers and traders in the fields of the winning Emerging Scale Producer of the Year Mr Epafras Hilengwa at 2nd Chance Farm where he produces commodities that include tomatoes, sweet potatoes, watermelons, green peppers, butter-nuts, paw-paws and mangoes. “Hilengwa’s emerging production area is a showcase of what can be achieved with determination, hard-work and will and is proof of the potential that the horticulture sector in Namibia holds toward reaching food security.
The 2014 event was held in the region of the winning Emerging Horticulture Producer of the Year, Mr Epafras Hilengwa and was attended by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Mr Joseph Iita, the Governor of the Omusati Region, the Hon Sophia Shaningwa, the Vice Chair of the NAB, Ms Sirrka Iileka, the Managing Director of Agro-Marketing Trading Agency (AMTA), Mr Lungameni Lucas, representatives of AGRIBUSDEV and Agribank, who were also co-sponsors of the event with the NAB.
Over the past few years, the popularity of the event has gained momentum as the importance of the Namibian Horticulture Market Share Promotion (MSP) becomes more prominent. The MSP is the minimum percentage that all local traders, wholesalers and caterers must source locally before they are granted an import permit by the NAB for importing horticulture fresh produce from outside our borders. When the MSP was first introduced and implemented in 2005, the minimum percentage stood at a mere 5 %. Today, the MSP stands at 41.5 % which is a milestone for the production and uptake of horticulture fresh fruit and vegetables cultivated in the Republic of Namibia.
“The remarkable growth of the MSP over such a short period of time shows commitment from producers to increase the quality and yield of our crops. Similarly, traders, retailers and caterers show their commitment toward supporting local,” said Mr Michael Iyambo, Chairperson of the National Horticulture Task Team.
Producer Winners are:
1Emerging Horticulture Producer of the Year, Mr Epafras Hilengwa of 2nd Chance Farm in the Omusati Region. The runner up is Mr Raphael Kampanza from the Kavango – West Region.
2. Medium Scale Horticulture Producer of the Year, Mr Johannes Kalenga from Etunda in the Omusati Region. Runners up are Mr Victor Tshiguuo and Ms Nelao Tshiguuo from the Oshikoto Region
3. Large-Scale Horticulture Producer of the Year, Mr Michael Iyambo of Oshikoto Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in the Oshikoto Region. The runner up is Mr Albert van der Merwe of the Karas Region.
Marketing Agents winners are:
Marketing Agent of Year, Lindsay Eleven from the Ongwediva AMTA Hub and the runner up is Iihape Market Promotion at the Rundu Hub.
Wholesaler of the Year is Oshetu Market Agents at the Rundu Hub and in second place, Stampriet Market Agents at the Ongwediva Hub.
Best Hub Supplier is the Sikondo Project in the Kavango East Region and in second place is the Olushandja Association in the Omusati Region.
Traders, wholesalers and caterers play a vital role in the supply chain of fresh fruit and vegetables to end consumers in Namibia and without these players, local producers would not have the truly symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship that is required for the horticulture sector to thrive. For their contribution toward achieving an MSP of 41.5 %, the following wholesalers were recognised for supporting local producers:
1. Small-Scale Category: Super Selfhelp in Mariental, Runner up OK Gochas
2. Medium-Scale Category: Trust Market in Walvis Bay, Runner Up Fonteine Trading in Grootfontein
3. Large Scale Category: Namibia Ship Chandler, Walvis Bay, Runner up Go-Fresh in Swakopmund
4. Very Large Scale Category: Brenner’s Fruit Oshikango, Runner up Citi Produce cc Windhoek
5. Mega-Scale Category: Fysal Oshikango, Runner up Stampriet Farmers Market, Windhoek
