EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The core function of NFPBH is to provide marketing facilities for the trading of fresh produce for domestic as well as export trade, provide cold storage facilities as well as business opportunities for processing, marketing and value addition through industrial activities, fresh produce inspection, lab testing and curing produce to prolong shelf life.

BACKGROUND

National Fresh Produce Business Hub (NFPBH) was established by Cabinet directive to provide the market and trading floor for local fresh produce for Namibian fresh produce farmers, especially small holder farmers with difficulties in trading their fresh produce through the established channels, and as a result, most of their produce get rotten due to lack of market.

The marketing facilities are equipped with state of the arts equipment/facilities, such as cold storage, grading, sorting, etc. that provide cold storage facilities, grading, sorting, packaging infrastructure, marketing and trading infrastructure as well as business opportunities for processing marketing and value addition through industrial activities, curing for prolonged shelf life and enhance consumption of local agricultural products.

NFPBH has three operational centres, which are Ongwediva Fresh Produce Business hub (OFPBH), Rundu Fresh Produce Business hub (RFPBH) and Windhoek Collection Hub (WCH).

The OFPBH and RFPBH   started officially their trading activities in November 2013.

The Cabinet Decision took cognizance of the fact that, there was no effective national marketing framework and infrastructure fresh produce to support producers, especially small scale farmers in Namibia. This situation has been a hindrance for increased agricultural production, product development and diversification. The situation has also resulted in high post-harvest losses and practices of market-rounding of fresh produce through other countries, making such products more expensive upon return to the retail outlets in Namibia.

Moreover, there was a lack of proper national marketing infrastructure, a situation which has contributed to the poor synergies between the urban and rural economies on one hand and communal and commercial farmers on the other.

Additionally it was noted that there was a gap of logistical and institutional framework to facilitate the storage and marketing fresh produce, as well as their transportation in the country. To that effect, Government initiated programmes aimed at the development of and fresh produce storage and marketing facilities in the country in order to fill this gap.

So far, the  Hubs have  been making steady progress with all produce sold through the marketing facilities coming from local producers all over the country, with exceptions to produce that can’t be produced in Namibia due to climatic conditions and in events of shortages. A number of farmers, especially small-scale farmers, have used the facilities as their market outlet, and hence availing quality local produce to local consumers at affordable prices.

The Ongwediva and Rundu hub each has a Market floor space of 5 000 m².

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the NFPBH is to facilitate marketing and storage facilities of agricultural produce to meet local farmers’ market needs, as well as:

• Supply the general population with staple food,
• Make local produce the preferred choice for customers;
• Alter the substantial reliance of imports for Namibian fresh produce consumption;
• Encourage national and international food safety and quality standards for all fresh produce;
• Create sustainable, community driven agricultural development that reduces poverty;
• Create market linked rural economies; stimulate and support agricultural production
• Create a sustainable and transparent trading system for the agro-industry.