Tsumeb
The Namibian Port Authority (NamPort) has funded the first-ever greenhouse project scheme in Tsumeb to produce spinach.
The project was undertaken by TOV HIV/AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children’s Organisation in Tsumeb. TOV provides shelter to vulnerable children living with HIV/AIDS including orphans.
TOV also runs a kindergarten and has a school scheme, whereby it enrolls children in school and pays school-related fees.
The first harvest from the greenhouse is expected to be ready by next week. The centre will then sell its first commercial spinach to the public. There are four greenhouses under production.
“Our plan is to have all four greenhouses producing spinach in the next three months and it is anticipated to generate between N$1 500 to N$2 500 each per week for the next 12 to 24 months,” stated TOV technical adviser Reverend Edward Amadhila.
Although it could not be ascertained how much NamPort invested in the project, Amadhila believes that NamPort’s funding of the greenhouse project has the potential to move TOV out of poverty and onto the path of self-sustainability.
TOV was fortunate enough a few years ago to be allocated a 10 000 hectare plot at Farm Oerwood, some 10 km from Tsintsabis, through government’s resettlement programme.
Amdahila is, however, distressed by the challenge of keeping goats away from the greenhouses and appealed for support to fence the greenhouses off.
Last week Dundee Precious Metals’ Tsumeb, through its Community Trust, donated some N$47 108 towards the TOV.
The investment was pledged to also help address food shortages with N$14 202 having been set aside, as well as N$2 845 for pots, including a further N$7 400 for a deep freezer and fencing material for the gardens, valued at N$22 660.