ǁKharas workers raise neglect concerns

Farmers and workers at a government-backed irrigation project in the ǁKharas Region say they feel abandoned by authorities, claiming no senior government officials have visited the operation in years despite mounting concerns over crop losses, deteriorating infrastructure and uncertainty over the project's future.

Speaking to Namibian Sun on Friday, Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP) farmers’ representative Lota Marshall said frustration among workers had reached a point where they felt they had no choice but to turn to the media to publicise their concerns.

"Maybe we can ask them, because we are tired of asking," Marshall said.

Authorities hae denied neglecting the scheme.

But Marshall alleged that workers have repeatedly questioned why national leaders and agriculture officials have not visited the project despite making appearances at other agricultural projects around the country.

He claimed the last significant official visit workers can recall was in 2020, when a parliamentary standing committee toured the project.

"Up to now, there's no one from the chief, from the elders, from the traditional authority, no one is visiting. From the ministry, from the government, no one is visiting," he said.

The project, which has been under Agribusdev since 2016, employs workers involved in date production, vegetable farming and other agricultural activities. However, Marshall claimed production has declined significantly in recent years.

He claimed that announcements about banana harvests were untrue.

"They were saying that we are having a high-quality bumper harvesting of bananas. We're not even taking one batch of banana. Those bananas, all of them, they were spoiled in the field," Marshall said.

He also expressed concern about what workers perceive as a lack of follow-up from authorities despite raising concerns through various channels.

According to Marshall, even ||Kharas governor David Gertze was approached when he visited the area in December.

"We tried to inform him. He was going to pick it up. We don't know what's going on. That's why we are wondering now what's going on in this project," he said.

Understand frustration

Responding to the concerns, Gertze acknowledged workers' frustrations but rejected suggestions that they had been ignored.

"I do understand the frustration. I do," the governor told Namibian Sun when approached for comment.

Gertze said he had engaged both project workers and small-scale farmers since taking office and had relayed their concerns to relevant government departments.

"I've spoken to the people at land resettlement and also at agriculture, where I related to them all the challenges those people are facing over there," he said.

While admitting that progress may not have met workers' expectations, Gertze said the concerns remain on government's agenda.

"The fact that they are kind of feeling neglected is probably based on the fact that things are not being done to their satisfaction, but they are not left out," he said.

The governor added that discussions with relevant officials are expected to continue in the coming weeks.

Claims dismissed

In a written response to questions from Namibian Sun, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Romeo Muyunda disputed claims that the project is failing, saying production records show output and sales have improved in recent years.

The ministry further dismissed allegations contained in a grievance letter circulating among workers, claiming it does not represent the views of the majority of staff.

"ORIP remains operational and continues to produce agricultural commodities despite various challenges experienced over the years," Muyunda said.

According to figures provided by the ministry, production sales increased from N$2.8 million in 2024 to over N$4 million in 2025, while the project has already recorded more than N$3 million in sales during 2026, with produce still being marketed.

The ministry acknowledged challenges, including disease outbreaks, irrigation difficulties, lack of cold storage facilities and limited market access, but said interventions are underway to improve operations.

Government also confirmed that a process to lease the project to a private operator has been concluded as part of efforts to attract investment and improve productivity.

"Government has not abandoned ORIP," Muyunda said. "The project remains part of the government's broader agricultural development strategy."

"So that's why people now are wondering that this project is still part of the ministry or not," Marshall said.

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FORGOTTEN: Farmers claim they are being neglected, but government refutes this allegation. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED