Khaibasen Garden Project farmers at Ganamab, who last year were funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to the tune of US$50 000 to grow tomatoes, white and yellow maize, green peppers, potatoes and watermelons, predict a bright future.
The project’s chairperson Jimmy Araseb said they are currently in pilot planting phase 2, where they are testing actual theories about the soil’s fertility and potential production.
“We started harvesting as from the end of November 2022 towards January 2023. So far, the results are reflecting a positive future,” he observed.
When asked if they had found a market for their produce, Araseb responded that they were currently in contact with the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) to look for potential customers, but that they were currently serving the Uis area’s local market.
He is also glad to realise that there are more young Namibians in all 14 regions who are eager and ready to sacrifice everything in order to enhance food security in the country.
“Covid-19 has made us realise that after so many years, we are still dependent on South Africa to feed us, which is a risky zone that we are into,” he said.
“If we do not ignite the power of agriculture in our children, we are preparing them to become beggars. Even an engineer or pilot has to eat. If all of us become officials, who is going to feed us?” he asked rhetorically.
Araseb furthermore expects the upcoming Young Farmers Symposium, slated for next year March, to establish a legal and recognised body that will directly address the issues of farmers, such as fair competition with already-established foreign companies, access to farming land, and relaxed and low interest loans.
The project Khaibasen, which means (Stand up for yourself) is situated some 20km from Uis in the Daures constituency of the Erongo region. It comprises 45 members, which includes 16 households, 27 women and 18 men.
The overall objective of the project is to enhance providing sustainable solutions to local farmers through finding solutions to problems such as nutritional needs and drought-resilient mechanisms, and furthermore unlock the dream of a successful community garden which will showcase the importance of gardening, and may be used as a case study for future generations.