Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus has expressed satisfaction with the work being done at the Etunda Green Scheme Irrigation Project in the Omusati Region.
 
During a familiarisation visit to the project on Wednesday, Theofelus commended management and staff for their commitment in contributing to national food security and job creation.
 
The Etunda Green Scheme is currently in the midst of its mango harvesting season, which commenced in November last year and is anticipated to conclude in February.
 
The project anticipates harvesting about 70 tons of fresh mangoes this year for the local market.
 
The mango orchard consists of approximately 7,000 trees of different varieties.
 
Etunda Green Scheme Manager Sacky Shilyomunhu says mango production has the potential to generate revenue provided the trees are well maintained.
 
“As of now these mangoes are going as fresh fruit to local people; they come here and buy at our shop, or we deliver trucks to Oshakati, Oshikuku, and Tsandi open markets. Those are the three main towns that we deliver to because of the demand; anyone is welcome here to come and buy.”
 
 Meanwhile, the project is also planting maize this year on a 450-hectare piece of land for commercial production, 250 hectares for small-scale farmers, and 45 hectares for medium-scale farmers.
 
About 270 hectares of maize are planted on commercial farms and 80 hectares for small-scale farmers.
 
They are also busy delivering wheat harvested in November last year to the millers.
 
Theofelus, who was on a familiarisation tour is happy with the progress at the project.
 
“We learned valuable information how the scheme is growing a variety of plants, fruits, and vegetables. The farmers are growing grapes, maize, mangoes and they even now introduced Bananas on a trial bases. This is all very valuable and it is encouraging because on a yearly basis in terms of casual workers they can hire up to 450 Namibians. That is valuable and this is why we came to look at the scheme to see the work they are doing and to better understand their needs in terms of support, so that us together with our ministry of agriculture work together to inform the community the valuable work the scheme is doing, the addition its making to development and how they need to support the activities happening on the scheme,” Theofelus added.