In the scorching heat of the Kunene region, where water is scarce and climate patterns are highly unpredictable, farmer Bennie Ganuseb continues to defy the odds as he pushes on with his dream of growing bananas.

For Ganuseb, who was born and raised in Kunene, farming has always been a rocky uphill battle; one in which he balances the intricacies of survival, ensuring his produce reaches the market at the right time and that his operations remain anchored in innovation.

In the vast and climate-unfriendly Kunene region, the land is rocky, and water is limited. Still, Ganuseb is undeterred and believes bananas can grow well there.

His farm is called Doere Farm, named after his late father, Doere, who loved planting bananas. Ganuseb, speaking to AgriToday, said naming the farm after his father was his way of honouring him.

He started small, with only seven banana trees. Over time, the plants multiplied and grew into 98 trees. Later, he managed to grow more than 500 banana trees in the same area. At the time, he was supplying large bunches of bananas to hostels.

But things changed when water became scarce. Today, much of the plantation is dry. Many of the trees have died due to persistent lack of water in the area.

“It has been tough. Before, we had more than 500 trees. Now there is nothing because of water shortages. In the past, we used a gravity system to bring water from a higher point down to the farm. Because the ground is rocky, burying the pipes underground was difficult. The pipes had to stay above the soil, where they were exposed to the sun and became hot,” he narrated.

But help came through the Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management (IREMA) project under the Environmental Investment Fund, which provided him with 180 banana trees.

IREMA assists smallholder farmers in the areas of Sesfontein, Fransfontein, and Warmquelle in the Kunene region under conditions of climate change.

This is a five-year project funded by the Green Climate Fund through the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (EIF) and implemented in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The project aims to reduce vulnerability and build smallholder farmers’ resilience to the negative effects of climate change in the Kunene region.

“The support came at the right time. I have been asking for banana trees for years,” said a thankful Ganuseb.

Despite the challenges, he remains adamant that bananas can grow well in Namibia, especially in Kunene, despite its harsh weather.

He explained that banana trees need only about 40% sunlight under a shaded structure and enough water. The hot climate does not scare him.

His plan was not only to sell bananas for profit, but he also wanted to supply nearby schools and vulnerable members of the community, who often cannot afford to buy fruits such as bananas.

“Bananas are one of the most consumed fruits in Namibia, yet most of the country’s consumption is imported.  As local farmers, we can change that,” he said.

To diversify his farming operations, he also expanded to planting Napier grass, which grows quickly and can be used for animal feed. In three months, it can grow up to four to five metres tall. However, the grass is also struggling because of water shortages.

In 2024, he drilled a borehole and found water. His next goal is to install a solar-powered pump to draw water from the borehole. The system will cost about N$68 000, while pipes will cost more than N$160 000.

He said if he can raise the money for the solar system, the garden can recover. He further shared that a banana tree takes about nine months to produce fruit. After harvesting, the tree is cut down to allow new shoots to grow again from the base.

“I still remain hopeful that everything will work out eventually, and I will not give up on my bananas. It has always been my dream,” he said. -pmukokobi@nepc.com.na