Positive outlook for maize production at green schemes
A yield of 6 732 tonnes of maize is expected from five green schemes in Namibia this year, which will assist in gradually reducing the country’s import bill for basic cereals and grains.
According to the agriculture ministry, after experiencing several years of limited production output, the five government-owned green schemes, which were under the management of Agribusdev, are expected to perform relatively well this year.
These are the Sikondo Irrigation Project, the Ndonga Linena Green Irrigation Scheme Project, the Uvungu-Vhungu Green Scheme Irrigation Project, the Shadikongoro Green Scheme Irrigation Project, and the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project.
Towards the end of last year, Cabinet made a decision to transfer the green schemes back to the ministry. Funds were allocated for the purchase of agricultural inputs and the renovation of essential irrigation infrastructure.
The ministry stated that, due to budgetary limitations, it was only able to gather resources to initiate production at the five green schemes.
During the last quarter of 2022, which aligns with the summer period of the crop production calendar, the primary crop cultivated by the five green schemes and farmers was maize.
Hard at work
The Sikondo Irrigation Project, comprising 350 irrigable hectares and an additional 250 hectares assigned to medium- and small-scale farmers, currently has 166 hectares of maize that are ready for harvest. Additionally, in March of this year, 9.5 hectares of land within the project were cultivated with potatoes.
About 90 temporary jobs were created to work the fields at the project. Should there be no hindrances such as pest infestations or weather challenges, 50 to 60 tonnes of potatoes are expected to be harvested per hectare.
At the Uvungu-Vhungu Green Scheme Irrigation Project, which covers 352 hectares of commercial land, 84 hectares of land have been allocated to small-scale farmers, while 250 hectares have been allocated to medium-scale farmers.
Plans in place
The ministry said that for the winter season, the farm has a total of 304 hectares under maize production.
At the Ndonga Linena Green Irrigation Scheme Project, workers intend to sow wheat and fodder during the winter cropping season. It has a total of 432 hectares of commercial land that is irrigable, and 174 hectares are allocated to small and medium-scale farmers.
It experienced a lot of challenges with rain this season, which impacted production.
The Shadikongoro Green Scheme Irrigation Project is yet another green scheme that looks forward to sowing wheat after its maize production. It is estimated to yield 9 to 10 tonnes of maize per hectare. It has a total of 300 hectares of commercial irrigable land, with 90 hectares allocated to small-scale farmers. They are expecting a harvest of 1 500 tonnes of grains.
Meanwhile, the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project envisions producing 5 to 6 tonnes of maize per hectare. It has a total of 600 hectares that are irrigated.
According to the agriculture ministry, after experiencing several years of limited production output, the five government-owned green schemes, which were under the management of Agribusdev, are expected to perform relatively well this year.
These are the Sikondo Irrigation Project, the Ndonga Linena Green Irrigation Scheme Project, the Uvungu-Vhungu Green Scheme Irrigation Project, the Shadikongoro Green Scheme Irrigation Project, and the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project.
Towards the end of last year, Cabinet made a decision to transfer the green schemes back to the ministry. Funds were allocated for the purchase of agricultural inputs and the renovation of essential irrigation infrastructure.
The ministry stated that, due to budgetary limitations, it was only able to gather resources to initiate production at the five green schemes.
During the last quarter of 2022, which aligns with the summer period of the crop production calendar, the primary crop cultivated by the five green schemes and farmers was maize.
Hard at work
The Sikondo Irrigation Project, comprising 350 irrigable hectares and an additional 250 hectares assigned to medium- and small-scale farmers, currently has 166 hectares of maize that are ready for harvest. Additionally, in March of this year, 9.5 hectares of land within the project were cultivated with potatoes.
About 90 temporary jobs were created to work the fields at the project. Should there be no hindrances such as pest infestations or weather challenges, 50 to 60 tonnes of potatoes are expected to be harvested per hectare.
At the Uvungu-Vhungu Green Scheme Irrigation Project, which covers 352 hectares of commercial land, 84 hectares of land have been allocated to small-scale farmers, while 250 hectares have been allocated to medium-scale farmers.
Plans in place
The ministry said that for the winter season, the farm has a total of 304 hectares under maize production.
At the Ndonga Linena Green Irrigation Scheme Project, workers intend to sow wheat and fodder during the winter cropping season. It has a total of 432 hectares of commercial land that is irrigable, and 174 hectares are allocated to small and medium-scale farmers.
It experienced a lot of challenges with rain this season, which impacted production.
The Shadikongoro Green Scheme Irrigation Project is yet another green scheme that looks forward to sowing wheat after its maize production. It is estimated to yield 9 to 10 tonnes of maize per hectare. It has a total of 300 hectares of commercial irrigable land, with 90 hectares allocated to small-scale farmers. They are expecting a harvest of 1 500 tonnes of grains.
Meanwhile, the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project envisions producing 5 to 6 tonnes of maize per hectare. It has a total of 600 hectares that are irrigated.
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Namibian Sun
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