Only 21% of Namibia’s irrigation land in use
Of the 52 000 hectares of irrigation potential in Namibia, only 11 000 hectares are currently under irrigation production countrywide, of which 5 640 hectares are at green scheme projects.
Through studies, government initially identified 47 000 hectares for agricultural production under irrigation in different regions of the country.
It then identified an additional 5 000 hectares for the development of the irrigation green scheme project at Neckartal Dam, bringing the total irrigation potential of the country to 52 000 hectares.
This is according to deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda, who responded to questions about drip irrigation technology in the National Assembly.
She said this identified irrigation potential formed the basis for the establishment of the green scheme projects the ministry has been implementing across the country.
As a first phase of the green scheme initiative, government has been making efforts to develop 27 000 hectares by 2030 for irrigation purposes, she added.
“The overall goal is to put all the identified potential arable land under irrigation, using different irrigation systems that are suitable for the Namibian climate and soil conditions, including drip irrigation.”
Initial investment
Shiweda said it is important to highlight that while a drip irrigation system is the most effective in terms of water efficiency and crop yields, it requires high initial investment capital and is susceptible to clogging when used in saline soils such as those in Namibia.
According to her, it also needs good quality water and cannot be used for crops such as cereals.
There are 11 green scheme projects covering a total of 5 640 hectares, of which the majority are located in the Kavango East Region. The rest are spread across other regions, namely Kavango West, Omusati and Zambezi.
The deputy minister said the green scheme policy makes provision for commercial and small-scale farmers’ production components.
Furthermore, the ministry has developed and supported irrigation in other parts of the country that are specifically earmarked for communal farmers with the main objective of ensuring food security at household level, she noted.
Turnover
Shiweda said the ministry has supported approximately 548 farmers throughout the country with drip irrigation systems to an estimated value of about N$14.7 million over the financial periods of 2020 to 2023.
She added that the ministry has not conducted a full study on all the farmers supported with this system.
However, data from a small sample of 16 farmers in the Oshana Region indicated that farmers using tap water (treated potable water) for horticulture production on small pieces of land, with a size ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 hectare, spend approximately N$1 500 to N$6 000 per month on water and get a turnover ranging from N$1 000 to N$30 000 per month.
Through studies, government initially identified 47 000 hectares for agricultural production under irrigation in different regions of the country.
It then identified an additional 5 000 hectares for the development of the irrigation green scheme project at Neckartal Dam, bringing the total irrigation potential of the country to 52 000 hectares.
This is according to deputy agriculture minister Anna Shiweda, who responded to questions about drip irrigation technology in the National Assembly.
She said this identified irrigation potential formed the basis for the establishment of the green scheme projects the ministry has been implementing across the country.
As a first phase of the green scheme initiative, government has been making efforts to develop 27 000 hectares by 2030 for irrigation purposes, she added.
“The overall goal is to put all the identified potential arable land under irrigation, using different irrigation systems that are suitable for the Namibian climate and soil conditions, including drip irrigation.”
Initial investment
Shiweda said it is important to highlight that while a drip irrigation system is the most effective in terms of water efficiency and crop yields, it requires high initial investment capital and is susceptible to clogging when used in saline soils such as those in Namibia.
According to her, it also needs good quality water and cannot be used for crops such as cereals.
There are 11 green scheme projects covering a total of 5 640 hectares, of which the majority are located in the Kavango East Region. The rest are spread across other regions, namely Kavango West, Omusati and Zambezi.
The deputy minister said the green scheme policy makes provision for commercial and small-scale farmers’ production components.
Furthermore, the ministry has developed and supported irrigation in other parts of the country that are specifically earmarked for communal farmers with the main objective of ensuring food security at household level, she noted.
Turnover
Shiweda said the ministry has supported approximately 548 farmers throughout the country with drip irrigation systems to an estimated value of about N$14.7 million over the financial periods of 2020 to 2023.
She added that the ministry has not conducted a full study on all the farmers supported with this system.
However, data from a small sample of 16 farmers in the Oshana Region indicated that farmers using tap water (treated potable water) for horticulture production on small pieces of land, with a size ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 hectare, spend approximately N$1 500 to N$6 000 per month on water and get a turnover ranging from N$1 000 to N$30 000 per month.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article