Info-Garden

AvaGro Namibia implements customised concepts for agricultural production in challenging environmental conditions. On 27 April, it hosted a conversation on fostering integrated and sustainable agricultural supply chains with its Dubai-based partner, Meet The Farmers Conference. The conversation took place at AvaGro’s flagship 8ha plot in the Namib desert where it produces flowers and vegetables on a commercial scale.

Local farmers, environmental agencies, entrepreneurs, education and funding agencies participated in the conversation, which considered the challenges and opportunities related to growing commercial, sustainable agricultural ventures in Namibia.

In particular, the conversation considered the factors required for implementing successful agri-businesses and how best to consolidate efforts to access diversified export markets.

Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa and is severely affected by climate change, resulting in rising temperatures, rainfall variability and increased droughts and floods. Limited fertility and irrigation caused by desert soil require highly capital-intensive methods of production and limit crop production.

Climate-adapted cultivation methods are needed to secure sufficient food availability in the country and to develop export capabilities.

Namibian agro commodity producers have an opportunity to build sustainable businesses and business partnerships through platforms like the annual Meet The Farmers Conference, which invests in knowledge and skill transfer and building linkages between African farmers and buyers in the United Arab Emirates.

Every year, Africa exports over US$35 billion worth of agricultural produce to other parts of the world. Analysts believe that this figure will rise to US$400 billion by 2050. At present, the UAE imports about 80 per cent of its food and the market is estimated to be worth over US$100 billion.

A considered, coordinated effort can help Namibian farmers build the capacity required to gain from this opportunity.

The 27 April event agreed that there is a need to:

• Work together to create a critical mass of people and produce for export;
• Collect data on who grows what, where and in what quantities;
• Develop complementary production plans tailored to export market needs;
• Develop a joint export strategy with well-established distribution channels;
• Multiply knowledge and best practice in sustainable, climate-adapted cultivation.

As a first step in moving beyond conversation, AvaGro Namibia undertook to act as coordinator and to provide support to potential exporters by:

• Building relationships with continental bodies developing data and applications on crop distribution in Africa;
• Creating a platform for exchange among Namibian producers;
• Coordinating participation in Meet The Farmers’ November conference in Dubai.