More time to bid on green schemes

The deadline for the submission of proposals for three green schemes has been extended by about two weeks to give more time for investors to make their bids.The agriculture ministry issued a notice saying the deadline to submit proposals for the Uvhungu-Vhungu Green Scheme Irrigation Project, the Ndonga Linena Green Scheme Irrigation Project, and the Orange River Irrigation Project has been extended to 16 December.The original deadline was set for Wednesday this week."We want to give more time to bidders. Given the needed requirements, we are being considerate," said Jona Musheko, the spokesperson for the ministry.The way forwardMusheko says that as for the rest of the green schemes, proposals are being studied."Thereafter, looking at both technical and financial proposals, we award the most responsive bidder. Then follows the agreement of lease of which at this point we prefer Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) for those where there are no structures or facilities in place."He said that for those with existing agricultural facilities that are not completely ready to use, they will have to complete upgrades, construction, and development up to the stage where the green schemes are commercially usable, all at their own cost."All these fall under BOT."Musheko added that the ministry expects the announcement of successful bidders to be early next year."But it depends if there are no objections from competitors or any complaints. This delays most procurement decisions on major projects or tenders. Unfortunately, the act (the Procurement Act) makes provisions for complaints."Staple foodThe green scheme programme encourages the development of irrigated agronomic production with a target of approximately 27 000 hectares along the perennial rivers bordering Namibia and at strategic inland areas where water is abundant.The investments are expected to promote the production of grains and cereals as basic staple foods to reach food self-sufficiency while allowing investors to diversify production into high-value horticulture, crops and fruits.The scheme sites are situated along the shared perennial rivers along Namibia’s borders, where water is abundant.AgriBusDev was in charge of 11 green-scheme projects established by government. These included the Etunda, Hardap, Kalimbeza, Mashare, Musese, Ndonga Linena, Orange River, Shadikongoro, Shitemo, Sikondo and Uvhungu-Vhungu irrigation farms.It has failed to manage the green schemes over the years.This led to about 5 600 out of 8 950 hectares being under irrigation. Therefore, the projects were transferred to the ministry.

More time to bid on green schemes

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-27

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More time to bid on green schemes

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-27

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