Grape harvest blunder costs NIDA N$6m

KEETMANSHOOP Elizabeth JosephFailure to harvest on time at the Naute Dam Irrigation Scheme is expected to cost N$5.9 million after unharvested grapes went rotten.According to Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) project manager Simon Akwenye, only a small portion of the produce could be harvested from the plantation due to “various obstacles”.Although Akwenye did not explain what the obstacles were, NIDA insiders said the project's grapevines as well as other fruit trees - that stretch across 54 hectares - have not been harvested, thus resulting in the fruit going rotten.The project last harvested on 15 January. The normal harvest timeline, however, is between 15 November and 15 January every season.A report submitted to the NIDA management, seen by Namibian Sun, indicated that the company will lose millions.Pipes wash awayMeanwhile, Akwenye said due to large amounts of rain received last month, the main pipelines at the project were washed away and, as a result, they could not water the plantations."We have currently harvested and exported what we could. In this case, we just have to fast-track the fixing of the pipe which is almost done, and if nothing else happens, the trees have a chance to recover 100%." he said. ContingencyGrapes which were harvested but are not fit for export are currently being sold to local retailers.NIDA added that some of the grapes are not good enough for export or harvest, and those were given to the Naute Kristal, a NIDA joint venture that produces gin and spirits.The grapes still on the vines will be harvested to be dried and sold as raisins.According to NIDA's senior manager for corporate services, Wessel !Naruseb, the agency has learnt valuable lessons this harvest season."We recognise that climate change is a reality and therefore the agency intends to install early warning systems to monitor adverse weather conditions and put in place measures and tools to mitigate the impact of adverse effects caused by climate change," he said.

Grape harvest blunder costs NIDA N$6m

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

Please login to leave a comment

Grape harvest blunder costs NIDA N$6m

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-06-17

Please login to leave a comment

Login