The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) has eased requirements on the importation of mahangu and beans from neighbouring Angola amid the looming drought, in an effort to supplement insufficient existing reserves.
Ndiyapuki Nghituwamata, the MAWLR Executive Director, said the trade is only allowed at the Oshikango border post, where the importation has been observed to be more prevalent.
In a notice to the public, Ndiyapuki said the importation of mahangu grains and beans purchased from Angola within a radius of 60 kilometres with the specified quantities, mainly for own consumption, are exempted from the phytosanitary requirements.
Phytosanitary requirements ensure the cleanliness and safety of life and health of plants, plant products, and other articles from pests and plant diseases. The Ministry has removed this requirement to reduce the burden on some who may not easily manage to meet the required mandatory procedures.
“Small-scale importers are therefore notified that, the import, export, and transit rules and procedures pertaining to controlled agronomic products permits the small-scale importation of controlled agronomic products (grains) into Namibia for commercial and personal use during the open border period and not during the close border period,” she said.
However, the Ministry will be conducting physical inspections at the point of entry to ensure that the products are in good condition. The public is advised to ensure that the imported products should be from the newest season grain harvest, free from pests, diseases, and debris, including soil particles.
Small-scale importers are allowed to import between 250kg (5 bags of 50kg) to 500kg (10 bags of 50kg) of agronomic products per person, per month for commercial use, and a maximum of 200kg (4 bags of 50kg) per person per month for personal use.
MAWLR also advises anyone who requires import permits that the issuance of import permits will be facilitated at the MAWLR’s Directorate of Agriculture Production, Extension and Engineering Services offices at Omafo, Ongwediva, and Outapi.
As a member of the International Plant Protection Convention, Namibia undertakes to implement common and effective measures on national and international levels to prevent the importation and distribution of pests of plants and plant products, promote methods of pest control, and to facilitate plant health education and awareness programmes.
