Namibia’s agronomic board pushes for increased local potato production

Potatoes offer significant opportunities for local farmers, according to NAB spokesperson Fabian Auguste, who highlighted the consistent demand for the crop. Despite this, the border remains open for potato imports all year round. Auguste explained that only potatoes and lettuce have been exempted from import restrictions for two consecutive months, reflecting their importance in Namibia's horticulture sector. "Most other crops are produced in sufficient quantities locally. We advocate an increase in local potato production due to its constant demand," said Auguste. Currently, Namibia only produces 35% of its potato needs, leading to a reliance on imports for the remaining 65%. The National Association of Horticultural Producers has started a program to train small-scale farmers in potato cultivation. Lesley Losper, the association's spokesperson, expressed satisfaction with the high turnout, hinting at possible extensions to cater to ...