Grain silo stocks low
Available stock in government silos is running low, totalling just 16% of holding capacity.
The ‘Crop prospects, food security and drought situation’ report issued by the agriculture ministry provided the latest statistics on the national food stock reserve levels, as of 31 March.
The five national food reserves in Namibia – which have a collective storage capacity of 22 900 tonnes – held just 3 758 tonnes.
According to the report, this included 1 110 tonnes of white maize at the Katima Mulilo silo, which can accommodate 7 400 tonnes of grain.
Rundu had 2 164 tonnes of white maize, while its capacity is 4 000 tonnes, and the Okongo silo held just 484 tonnes of pearl millet, despite a capacity of 4 500 tonnes.
“The Omuthiya and Tsandi silos are completely empty, due to pearl millet sales to small-scale millers that do not have capacity to import.” These silos can hold 4 000 and 3 000 tonnes respectively.
According to the report, much of the grains that could have been stored in the silos are milled and distributed to those in need, as part of the drought-relief food assistance programme through the Office of the Prime Minister.
Another reason for the low intake of grains is low production from farmers, due to erratic and sporadic rainfall, the report noted.
Imports
From May 2023 to February 2024, a total of 236 300 tonnes of coarse grains (wheat, maize and pearl millet) were imported into the country, the report read. This includes 116 900 tonnes of wheat, 118 900 tonnes of white maize and 594 kilograms of pearl millet.
By the end of February, the imports covered the deficit of wheat and maize, resulting in a surplus of 66 800 tonnes and 48 400 tonnes respectively.
However, the country is still in a pearl millet deficit of 58 000 tonnes, which is expected to be covered through additional commercial imports.
The ‘Crop prospects, food security and drought situation’ report issued by the agriculture ministry provided the latest statistics on the national food stock reserve levels, as of 31 March.
The five national food reserves in Namibia – which have a collective storage capacity of 22 900 tonnes – held just 3 758 tonnes.
According to the report, this included 1 110 tonnes of white maize at the Katima Mulilo silo, which can accommodate 7 400 tonnes of grain.
Rundu had 2 164 tonnes of white maize, while its capacity is 4 000 tonnes, and the Okongo silo held just 484 tonnes of pearl millet, despite a capacity of 4 500 tonnes.
“The Omuthiya and Tsandi silos are completely empty, due to pearl millet sales to small-scale millers that do not have capacity to import.” These silos can hold 4 000 and 3 000 tonnes respectively.
According to the report, much of the grains that could have been stored in the silos are milled and distributed to those in need, as part of the drought-relief food assistance programme through the Office of the Prime Minister.
Another reason for the low intake of grains is low production from farmers, due to erratic and sporadic rainfall, the report noted.
Imports
From May 2023 to February 2024, a total of 236 300 tonnes of coarse grains (wheat, maize and pearl millet) were imported into the country, the report read. This includes 116 900 tonnes of wheat, 118 900 tonnes of white maize and 594 kilograms of pearl millet.
By the end of February, the imports covered the deficit of wheat and maize, resulting in a surplus of 66 800 tonnes and 48 400 tonnes respectively.
However, the country is still in a pearl millet deficit of 58 000 tonnes, which is expected to be covered through additional commercial imports.
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