A variety of crop farmers throughout the country have been experiencing the harsh reality of the lack of formal markets. Producing fresh produce is one factor and securing safe formal market for the produce is another critical factor.
Aminius crop farmers within Omaheke region hosted a farmers` session day on the 18th of February with officials from AMTA. The farmers session day was carried out, as farmers implore ways on finding common ground with AMTA in securing formal market for their fresh produce. Some of the products that farmers produce includes; cowpeas, onions, butternuts, cabbages, pumpkins, Maize, Spinach and watermelons.
During the farmers’ information session day, AMTA officials briefed the farmers of their services (how they operate), their roles and what they expect from farmers as they strive to secure formal market for them.
Speaking to Carlos Tjiho an agricultural technician based in Aminius, he says that it was very critical for these crop farmers to host such a day with officials from AMTA. According to him, crop farmers within Aminius always faced an uphill battle in marketing their fresh produce & securing formal markets of where to sell them. With the help of AMTA, the farmers will be assisted under the umbrella of farmers’ cooperative where they would then be added on AMTA`s database and enter into some agreement. It is through this agreement or contract, which would ensure that the farmers are able to sell their fresh produce to AMTA.
Previously, the farmers would normally market & sell their produce to the locals, however the local market within their surrounding is too small to fully absorb their entire produce. As with the help of AMTA, for future purposes they would be able to secure stable market of where to sell their produce.