OSHAKATI – Minister of Trade and Industry, Calle Schlettwein, visited the Oshikoto fresh fruit and vegetable farm on Saturday, as part of his two-day visit to northern Namibia, where he addressed the business community of Oshakati and thereafter toured the newly open Ondangwa fresh fruit and vegetable hub, before proceeding to the Northern Tannery at Ondangwa on Friday.
The Oshikoto farm is an established agricultural business that has been operating since 2005. The company is owned by a youthful Michael Iyambo and employs about 60 people from in and around Tsintsabis.
The operations include a recently expanded seed nursery and produces high value crops. These crops include cabbage, watermelon, butternut, sweet potato, tomato, maize, citrus fruit and mango.
The staff complement of about 60 employees are actively working on 15 hectares of irrigated land with vegetables and 6 hectares of fruit. Approximately 70 hectares are currently being cleared to expand vegetable farming and which are expected to include newer crops such as potatoes.
The project utilizes two irrigation systems, namely the drip and micro-jet systems, which are working well and the test results of the soil conducted by a soil expert supports the business’ viability.
Currently the business supplies some retail outlets such as Pick n Pay, Fruit and Veg, Farmers Market, OK Foods, Tulipamwe Caterers, and Namib Mills. The entities’ net worth is estimated at about N$8 million, while the annual turnover is N$1,2 million.
The business is currently seeking funding and/or technical expertise to install a pivot irrigation system, procure agri-inputs and agricultural implements such as harvesters and packing equipment.
The Oshikoto Region, where the business is based, has a sub-tropical climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. Maximum temperature is about 29.7° C, while the mean minimum temperature is 14.4° C. The average rainfall is 555 mm per annum.
By Staff Reporter