Overview

The NSFR facilities are grain storage facilities for storing grain. This is an initiative of the Government, with the aim of maintaining a national optimal level of food reserves to address local food shortage, respond to immediate emergency food requirements and to have a well-managed business. Food security remains a national priority as all SADC member states required contribute 10% of their budget towards food security goals.

The Namibian Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) has constructed grain storage facilities with a combined storage capacity of 22,900 MT and is still in the progress of expanding. Currently, the facilities store white Maize and Mahangu grains, beans and wheat will be considered in the future.

During the grain marketing season, you can contact us to   sell your white maize [commercial farms and green schemes only] and surplus mahangu [communal farmers only].

Our Services

 Grain Procurement

The marketing season begins on 1st May and lasts till end of October or until such time when all locally produced grain is absorbed.   Producers willing to sell grains to NSFR including the Green Schemes Projects that are the main suppliers indicate their willingness to market their grain to AMTA facilities and start delivering their products to the grain storage facilities (silos) or purchasing points as communicated by AMTA regional offices. The price for both maize mahangu and maize is determined by the industry each year, the process which is overseen by the Namibian Agronomic Board. The white staggered floor price is based on the South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX) five-year average formula or import parity whereas mahangu price is based on the production input costs.

In order to support food security in the country, the NSFR procures white maize and mahangu grain to build the reserve.  The grain goes through a thorough grading system established by government. Only Grade 1 and 2 can be bought while grade 3 is considered as animal feed therefore cannot be purchased.

White Maize grain

 White Maize grain is mainly sourced from Green Schemes and other producers.  Usually, white maize national production is allocated to all role players in the industry including AMTA- NSFR. In some regions like Zambezi Region white maize production is mainly allocated to the regional based millers except for times of bumper harvest when millers in the region cannot absorb all produced grain, AMTA comes in to provide market so that farmers can have access to the market for their grain well on time before pest infestation.

Pearl Millet (Mahangu) grain

Mahangu grain is a subsistence commodity for the residents of North Central and North East regions and only surplus is availed for the market. Therefore, producers with surplus mahangu grain are always encouraged to register and indicate the surplus quantities to be marketed. Like white maize, producers are expected to deliver their produce to the designated purchasing points.

Prior to the grain marketing season farmers are informed of the prevailing price, marketing arrangement as well as logistical arrangements for interested farmers that are interested in making use of AMTA’s trucks.

Grain Management

To preserve the quality of procured grain during storage, the grain is managed in such a manner that quantity and quality are maintained in order to have grain available and fit for human consumption at any given period.

Grain Release

In line with AMTA’s mandate, grain from the reserve is released to respond to the food needs in the country either through the Office of the Prime Minister’s [OPM] Directorate of Disaster and Risk management [DDRM] to be distributed to disaster relief programs or sold to small scale millers that do not have capacity to import.

Stakeholders’ engagement

Engagement with stakeholders is done to promote smooth marketing of agronomic crops in the regions. Stakeholders include Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) Directorate of Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES), Millers, producers, Farmers Union & Associations and Namibian Agronomic Board.

Operating hours

The grain storage facilities are open for services on week days; Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17H00. They are closed during weekends and public holidays unless on special arrangements.