The state-owned Orange River Irrigation Project, located along the banks of the Orange River in Aussenkehr’s Grape Valley farms, reported that its vegetable yield for the current season looks promising.

The project's acting manager, Paulus Mungoba, told NBC News that an early field assessment showed healthy crop performances. 

Full-scale harvesting of watermelon and butternut is expected to get underway this week. 

The produce is intended for the local market. 

"We are expecting about 40 metric tonnes of watermelon and 50 metric tonnes of butternut with high quality. We are also thankful for our government for providing things we need, such as seeds, chemicals and fertilisers. And at the end we are coming up with this."

Mungoba also revealed plans are afoot to revive the grape production, which came to a halt a few years back after the grapevines had surpassed their lifespan and were removed.

"We received communication from the ministry that by next year the tender for small-scale seedlings for grapes will be procured, and we are expecting them by June next year. And by August we will start planting the small-scale plot. Then in 2027, that is when we will then go commercial.  The plan is just ongoing. I am sure, and I am informed, that we need to put at least 50 hectares under grape cultivation."

The project is also cultivating dates for export markets.  

Workers were hard at work to prune palm fronds to protect the developing fruit, which is expected to be ready for harvest in February next year. 

The project employs 66 permanent workers and 37 seasonal workers.