Supporting sustainable farming enterprises

PHILLEPUS UUSIKUMaking finance available for both commercial and communal farmers in crucial in transforming the agriculture sector to optimum sustainable productive status for prosperity.In 2020, agricultural debt by commercial and Agribank stood at N$7.345 million, which is a 134% increase since 2010, according to the bank’s monthly market watch for October.On an annual comparison, the outstanding agriculture debt decreased by 6.7% from N$7.871 million recorded in 2019. Although the deceleration in debt is welcomed, this could also suggest, reduced investment and lower agricultural expansion as a result existing and recurring challenges such as drought, pest and Covid-19, Agribank pointed out.Nonetheless, Agribank’s market share increased to 44% in third quarter of 2020 (3Q2021) from 40% in the third quarter of 2020 (3Q2020). Given the growth potential, there is need for Agribank to increase momentum on loan advances to support sustainable and viable farming enterprises, the bank said.Recently, the bank announced that it has a cash flow lending facility that is primarily targeted at the unemployed. This cash flow lending is an option under the Women and Youth loan scheme, which was developed with distinct requirements to benefit women, youth, and agricultural professionals.As a short-term loan, the cash flow lending facility requires no collateral for clients who do not have fixed properties or have limited collateral scope on their fixed properties. In addition, the special option was designed to address the barrier of limited access to finance due to lack of ownership of fixed properties to offer as collateral, especially among the unemployed members of the community, Agribank added.CollateralSimilarly, women and youth who have fixed properties are also faced with the barrier of limited collateral scope on their properties, hence experiencing difficulties to access finance.Therefore, in addressing the above challenges, the bank has a cash flow lending option under the Women and Youth loan scheme. Clients applying under this option are required to provide a valid off-take or supply agreement based on the project’s cashflow projections. This agreement is a commitment between the farmer, who is the producer and an off-taker, who is the buyer of the produce whereby the farmer commits to supply the produce and the off-taker pledge to buy the produce from the farm.To ensure that an off-taker (buyer) is legitimate, the bank conducts a due diligence check on the off-taker prior to loan approval. Once funding is approved, a tripartite agreement is signed between the client, Agribank and the off-taker buyer. Through the tripartite agreement, the off taker, when purchasing from the farmer, agrees to first pay the loan instalment amount to Agribank and then pay the difference to the farmer.Thus, public members especially the target market which are women, youth are agricultural professionals, who are interested and eager to start or expand their agricultural projects are encouraged to approach the bank for funding. Visit the nearest Agribank offices countrywide for further clarification on the cash flow lending option.

Supporting sustainable farming enterprises

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Republikein 2025-05-14

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Supporting sustainable farming enterprises

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