The Government says it will only announce in 2023 farmers and investors who would have been successful in their bids to run the green schemes across the country.
Namibia recently gave both domestic and international investors a chance to operate 3 Green Scheme projects, including a dairy project, and investment opportunities through a competitive leasing and bidding process.
However, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Jona Musheko said the process to select the right candidates might take longer than anticipated.
“This is not just any other process, it is something that we regard as very serious, therefore we are scrutinising everything so that whoever is awarded to run the green scheme, has the necessary competency skills, human and financial resources, that is why we are careful,” he said.
The government established the green schemes in 2008 with 27,000ha allocated across the country to maximise irrigation opportunities and promote agricultural production to make Namibia self-sufficient in food production.
Nonetheless, most Green Schemes which flourished in the past are now lying dormant without any tangible results, while those in operation are operating below desired levels.
Musheko said the government is planning to run the scheme through a Build-Operate-Transfer system.
“With this model you can’t give an investor five years because it is long term… we are looking at leasing for at least 20 years depending on the project. This is done to give an opportunity to investors to develop the place, then be able to produce as per our agreement and also get something extra on what they invested, by doing so, it becomes a win-win situation,” he added.
Musheke further said the government will benefit by receiving the farm with all the infrastructure and development, while the investor will walk away with profit when the lease contract lapses.
“So far, we have done advertising and requested proposals for the Katima Liselo farm, Tandjieskoppe Green Scheme and Uvhungu-Uvhungu that have components of crop and dairy farming. So, for now we are still assessing what we have received,” he said.
