The Kalimbeza rice project has finally entered the early stages of rice production after years of inactivity.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform is redesigning the 229-hectare area, and has provided the project with essential inputs, such as fertiliser, diesel, two restored tractors and one plough tractor, project manager Patric Kompeli told Nampa.

Groundwork for the rice nursery began last Monday, and planting will commence at the end of September this year.

“We are busy preparing the area, and transplanting will start in four weeks. We understand the ministry is busy securing a consultant to do a feasibility study. For now, we are clearing 61 hectares to make planting easy because the soil is uneven, and it is difficult to irrigate. Work includes changing the drainage system,” he said.

The ministry’s spokesperson Jona Musheko confirmed they are in the process of hiring a consultant to assist with site production. 

The ministry has allocated N$8 million in its 2024/25 budget towards the reviving of the project.

“It is essential to acknowledge that due to several years of low or no production at the site, the ministry must first redesign the 229-hectare project area before any production can begin. Like other green schemes we have revived since 2022, we are committed to moving this project forward,” he remarked.

Kompeli, in an earlier interview with this news agency, stated that their rice processing machines have also faced issues since 2018. 

This, he said, was aggravated by a broken down rice sorter, which had enabled the project to produce rice acceptable in the market.

At present, the project employs 11 permanent staff and 56 temporary staff, who assist with fence repairs, planting and nursery operations. 

-Nampa