Namibia should boost dairy output to cut imports: Ipinge

OTJIWARONGO, 09 APR – Namibia needs to boost its dairy industry to cut its reliance on imports for milk which are hurting local producers, Otjozondjupa Governor Otto Ipinge said on Monday.
The Namibia Agricultural Union and the Dairy Producers’ Association have complained about cheap milk imports from neighbouring South Africa which they say are hurting the local dairy sector.
Ipinge visited a dairy farm near Otjiwarongo that produces milk distributed to local schools and the State hospital, and said he was happy with its output.
“I am really very happy with this dairy. We need more such dairies in Namibia so we can stop importing milk from elsewhere,” he said.
The dairy, some 80 kilometres north of Otjiwarongo, is owned by Kaura Kaura and produces 250 litres of fresh milk a day which is distributed to the hostels of Karundu primary and junior schools, Paresis Senior Secondary School and the Otjiwarongo State Hospital.
Kaura told Nampa that operations started some two years ago.
“Now we have the capacity and resources to produce milk for everyone,” he said, adding that the dairy farm also produces cream.
The farm, which employs eight workers, is certified to process milk and bottle it for commercial purposes by the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
NAMPA