AMTA launches Katwitwi milling plant
KATWITWI - The AgroMarketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) launched its Katwitwi milling plant in the Kavango West region on Friday.
Giving the keynote address on behalf of Minister of Public Enterprises Leon Jooste, Chairperson of the National Council Lukas Muha said the milling facility is established with the strategic objective to add value to the grains and be able to serve the public.
“This facility is very important in that it will present a much needed opportunity for grain producers to market their grain,” Muha said on behalf of the minister.
Ministries and agencies as well as commercial traders will also source milled products for distribution to consumers.
According to the speech, AMTA is actively marketing and trading fresh produce, grains and grain products as well as eggs.
“As we speak the agency is further expanding its business to diversify its commodities to include amongst others meat,
chicken, fish and other valueadded products such as diced fresh produce, milled products, soup and tomato soup.”
The establishment of market, business and product development division plans are also underway to expand services to producers and consumers through the establishment of distribution centres in regions. This is being executed in line with AMTA’s fiveyear integrated strategic business plan of 2020 to 2025.
Agriculture is a vital sector and is one of the main pillars in the Harambee Prosperity Plan, Jooste’s speech continued. “AMTA’s contribution to the sector can only be realised if this public entity is governed and managed professionally.
From my ministry’s side we are doing everything possible to see to it that our public enterprises are supported to make the desired contribution to the country’s development agenda,” he said. Meanwhile the agency also launched the AMTA Golden Fresh Brand which is described as the “pride of the quality and freshness identity of the valueadded products”.
AMTA board chairperson Desiderius Tshikesho said the agency was mandated to manage these facilities in order to maintain food safety and to attain food security in the country. The equipment in the milling plant are valued at N$500 000.