ORIP workers allege neglect

Workers at a government-backed irrigation project in the ǁKharas region say they feel abandoned by authorities.

Speaking to Namibian Sun this month, 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, saying they are "tired" of allegedly being ignored.

Authorities have 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 added 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.

Understand frustration

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

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

"I do understand the frustration. I do," he told Namibian Sun.

Gertze said he had engaged both project workers and small-scale farmers since taking office.

"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 their 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.

Claims dismissed

In a written response to questions from Namibian Sun, agriculture ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda disputed claims that the project is failing, saying production records show output and sales have improved.

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

He added that the project “remains operational and continues to produce agricultural commodities despite various challenges experienced over the years”.

The ministry said 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 but said interventions are being implemented.

He 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.

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