Etunda irrigation project
The Etunda Irrigation Project ( English Etunda Irrigation Project ) is an irrigation project of the Namibian state to increase agricultural productivity .
The irrigation project is located about 150 km west of Oshakati near the village of Ruacana in the Omusati region . The region's climate and soil are seen as particularly promising , especially in terms of the intensive production of fruit and vegetables .
In 2008 the Etunda irrigation project had a turnover of 70 million Namibian dollars , with a net profit of 11.2 million Namibian dollars.
history
The project was initiated in 1993 with initially 15 farmers.
From 2011, however, the project had to struggle with increased financing problems, which also affected the company's productivity. In 2017, the reduced use of the farm continued due to financial bottlenecks. In 2015 there were also concerns about the water supply from Namwater . In early 2017, the cotton boll owl threatened the project.
Management
About half of the irrigated area of 600 hectares is commercially cultivated, while subsistence agriculture is practiced by 82 small farmers on the remaining 300 hectares . You have three to six hectares at your disposal. In 2011, a total of more than 125 people were direct beneficiaries of the project.
Maize is the most important field crop and is cultivated on about half of the area. In 2011 more than 700 tons of maize could be harvested.
In addition, various types of vegetables such as potatoes , cabbage and onions are grown. There are also wheat , for example, as well as various fruits melons produced.
Bananas have been cultivated since 2005 , with the result that the first banana plantation on Namibian soil was put into operation on the site of the Etunda irrigation project.
The commercial area consists of 10 irrigation districts , each of which covers an area of around 30 hectares. All the production necessary tractors , trucks and vehicles are provided by the government and the marketing of the crops is done nationally and internationally.
The government temporarily supplies the smallholders with vehicles so that they can market their products in the local area.
Web links
- Official website of the project (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f SchemeEtunda Irrigation Scheme. Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ↑ a b c Etunda has potential to feed the nation . namibian.com.na. February 19, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
- ↑ Etunda irrigation project 'a beacon of hope': President . namibian.com.na. May 11, 2005. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
- ↑ Namibian Sun (2011): Pohamba disappointed by Etunda's lack of progress ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (English)
- ^ Budget cuts to affect harvest at Etunda. New Era, Dec. February 2017.
- ↑ Etunda irrigation scheme under threat. New Era, June 23, 2015.
- ↑ American bollworms invade Etunda ... to impact on harvests. New Era, January 18, 2017.
- ↑ Etunda project goes from strength to strength ( English ) namibian.com.na. March 14, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2011.
