Govt changes its mind on free seed

WINDHOEKFAITH SANKWASA

Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa has announced that his ministry will in fact start providing free maize and mahangu seed to drought- and flood-affected farmers at a total cost of N$5 million.
Only last week, the ministry had said that seed would be sold at subsidised prices, but not made available free of charge.
In a statement on Friday, Mutorwa announced that the ministry would distribute enough seed to each crop-farming household to plant a maximum of three hectares.
Mutorwa said 10 tons of hybrid maize seed would be distributed to flood-stricken Caprivi farmers in the next two weeks.
About 13 000 crop farmers in the Caprivi Region, who lost their harvest due to flooding earlier this year, had called on the government to provide them with free seed for the next planting season. The more than 700 families recently returned to their homesteads after spending four months in temporary camps.
Mutorwa said farmers must be registered by their regional councillors at the constituency offices to ensure the smooth and timely distribution of seed.
"In June 2013, the [ministry] publicly announced the details of the government's livestock marketing incentive scheme for the duration of the 2013 declared drought emergency situation," Mutorwa stated.
"The public announcement did not include the provision of seed during the said 2013 drought emergency period. However, the ministry has now embarked upon the provision of free seed to drought- and flood-affected farmers."
Mutorwa said local research stations have produced about 100 tons of maize and mahangu seed, and the ministry plans to produce another 100 tons of mahangu seed at its Green Scheme projects and research stations.
"In view of the short period available to grow additional seed, maize seed cannot be produced under this incentive. There is a need to import additional seed of mahangu, maize, sorghum and legumes to make up for the shortfall," said Mutorwa.
Mutorwa added that the ministry is considering including the commercial crop farmers in seed production.