Horticulture producers to register with NAB
Facilitating marketing of fresh produce
Only registered horticulture producers are allowed to market their products to registered traders, the Namibian Agronomic Board warned.
All producers of controlled horticulture crops in Namibia are obliged to register with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB).The NAB, as mandated by the Agronomy Industry Act and in line with the market share promotion scheme rules and procedures, obliges all horticulture producers who are producing and intending to sell their horticulture produce to register.
“Only registered horticulture producers are allowed to market their products to registered traders,” it said.
All registered producers are entered into the agricultural marketing information database system and are allocated a unique producer identification number (PIN) which can be used by registered traders to verify whether a particular producer is registered with the NAB.
“The registration enables the NAB to efficiently and effectively facilitate the marketing of locally produced fresh produce.”
Once-off process
The registration of producers is a once-off process using three easy steps.
“Download and complete a producer registration form accessible on the NAB website, submit the completed form and a certified ID copy or company registration document to the NAB and receive confirmation of registration - with your unique PIN therein.”
The NAB said a registered producer is required to update the NAB with actual or expected production volumes per crop planted.
“The provision of submitted production forecast data enables the NAB to generate comprehensive production forecast reports, projected five months ahead.”
These reports serve as a guide for traders in determining optimal sourcing strategies and they aid producers in identifying areas with surpluses or deficits, which - in turn - empowers producers with planning and making informed decisions, it said.
This provision also enables the NAB to efficiently manage the opening and closing of borders by determining which specific controlled products should be restricted or permitted for importation.
Unrealistic expectations
Between the 7th and 14th of each month, producers who intend to market their horticulture products must submit their expected and actual production data to the NAB.
Information required includes the name of the crop planted, the variety, the estimated hectares planted for each controlled crop and date planted.
Furthermore, the total quantity expected to be harvested per crop, the date of harvesting, the targeted market, the tonnage to be marketed and whether the producer is contracted to supply or not is also required.
According to the NAB, when producers do not submit this information, missing or unrealistic production information can cause unrealistic expectations of local production volumes to be marketed in a subsequent month or quarter.
This may lead to irregularities and poor implementation of the closed and open border periods aimed at creating market access for local farmers, it said.