GOBABIS – They call him the ‘Pumpkin Man’. Not jokingly, but out of sheer respect because Obed Hamutenja of Epukiro in the Omaheke Region is supplying visitors to the Omaheke Trade Fair with a variety of fresh vegetables all grown in his small garden at Epukiro Post 12.
He is one of the main attractions at the entrance to the indoor display area in this year’s tent facility for exhibitors and his fresh produce have proven to be a big hit.
“Pumpkins are what I have become known for most, but I grow a variety of vegetables like cabbage, carrots, tomatoes and I also produce maize products as well as cattle fodder,” this young entrepreneur tells New Era.
The modest man from the Omaheke has on display enormous pumpkins of the white and green variety. The big white ones, known as ‘Boerpampoen’ are especially popular because they can feed so many mouths at one time. Some of the pumpkins weigh in at more than six kilogrammes and are delicious, as any visitor to the fair will tell you.
Obed says many people have bought his vegetables at the show but his dream is to go much bigger with his produce and sell at places like the Windhoek Show, starting this weekend.
“I am experiencing a bit of a water supply problem at Epukiro Post 12, but I still manage to grow veggies on a reasonably big scale. I am a one-man show in order to reduce costs and it is hard but it is also satisfying to see customers’ response to my products. They just love it,” he smiles while helping another buyer.
Obed says it is a reasonably inexpensive project that he started some years ago, but he still struggles to make ends meet as seeds are not always readily available and also expensive.
“I also use my own seeds, but the biggest problem is getting from one selling point to the next. My dream is to have my own transport to be able to move from one point to the next as this will enable me to do much better business in a wider area. But I am happy with what I am achieving at this year’s fair and I will keep on coming back as long as my products remain popular,” he says.
All in all, his profits are good on all the products and he is looking forward to the next Omaheke Trade Fair. “Hopefully better equipped and with a few surprise products next year,” the friendly man says.