Green scheme: ‘Improve projects’

RUACANA – The minister of agriculture, water and land reform, Calle Schlettwein, says most of the green schemes in the Omusati region are under-producing due to management issues and are in need of improvement.

Schlettwein made these remarks on Sunday during his visit to the agricultural green scheme projects at Etunda in the Ruacana constituency.

Etunda is Omusati’s main green scheme project, where several small-scale farmers are engaged in the production of, among others, maize and vegetables.

It is where an asparagus plantation, introduced by a Spanish company in 2017, is located.

“You need to improve your production to be able to pay your input,” Schlettwein said during his visit to the asparagus factory at Ruacana town, adding that the management should be able to know what is expected to be done on the farm.

‘PLOUGH BACK’

Regarding the asparagus plantation, Schlettwein said it is a commendable initiative as it is diversifying production, adding value to the product and it has secured a good market in Europe.

“We hope it will plough back into the economy and eventually create job opportunities for our people,” he said.

The asparagus project has 17 permanent workers and can provide work to 400 casual workers during harvest time.

“Our main market is Europe, but there is room for the product [asparagus] to be introduced to local people to become aware of it before we start supplying the local market,” said the project’s technical officer, Giel Boshoff.

Namibia is the only country producing asparagus in Africa, while other countries in the world are Spain, Peru, Argentina and China. - Nampa