The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) and agricultural solutions company AvaGro have signed an agreement that will see both entities join efforts to develop the country’s banana industry in areas of research and implementation. During the signing ceremony, which recently took place at the AvaGro Farm in Swakopmund, NAB’s CEO Fidelis Mwazi and AvaGro’s CEO Leonie Hartmann expressed the growing need for Namibia to develop the banana industry and catch up with the rest of the world.
Last year alone, Namibia imported a total of 6,394 tons of bananas, valued at N$57 million, mainly from neighbouring South Africa. Bananas remain the second most highly-consumed fruit in Namibia after apples. The country imports 100% of all its banana needs. Small-scale productions are taking place in the Zambezi and the two Kavango regions, as well as in the north-central, Karst and central production zones of the country, these are primarily for farmers’ consumption and hardly reach the local market.
“This MoU will, therefore, address the main challenge hindering banana production in the country, which is access to high-quality and disease-free banana seedlings that not only have better yield and taste – but are also adaptable to Namibia’s climatic conditions,” said Mwazi.
Source: neweralive.na