A medium-scale farmer at the Sikondo Green Scheme in the Kavango West Region is harvesting his first batch of potatoes after receiving support from the Namibia Agronomic Board under the potato subsidy scheme.

Albert Mutesi is one of the 40 farmers countrywide who planted potatoes under the Namibia Agronomic Board's potato subsidy scheme.

“Our friends in South Africa plant many potatoes, and we import a bigger portion. With this scheme, even if every farmer here gets two hectares by the end of the day, we will harvest many potatoes. We will cut off importing potatoes, and the money that was going to benefit South Africa will stay in the Kavango, and it will improve lives.”

The Potato Value Chain Development Scheme is aimed at enhancing local potato production through the provision of subsidised production inputs and technical support to small-scale farmers.

The farmers received training on vegetable growth, and representatives from the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) assist the farmers during the planting season and harvesting as well as packaging.

The five-year project started this year in February.
Over 100 applications were received, but only 40 farmers were able to plant nationwide.

Despite support from the NAB, farmers still need to invest in the project.

NAB's Horticulture Development Officer Tomas Sikoka explained.

“The reason some farmers did not qualify, or did not plant despite qualifying, is that they were unable to make their required contribution. A farmer may qualify for the programme, but must first pay 50 percent of the cost. That is how we determine whether the farmer is committed. Once the farmer has paid their 50 percent contribution, we cover the remaining 50 percent. Those are some of the challenges we face.”

Sikoka further added that the potato subsidy scheme is set to reduce potato importation.

Some farmers also expressed excitement about the scheme.

“This is encouraging. If a principal is investing in agriculture, imagine those of us who are just at home. Some have graduated, and many young people are sitting at home with their degrees, waiting for government employment. But let us also invest in agriculture,” said Selma Karinda.

“I heard on the radio that there would be free training on potato harvesting, and I became interested in it. I am also a farmer, but I only plant mahangu, and the business is not doing very well,” added Augustinuse Kampungu.

Community members and small-scale farmers were trained on how to harvest and sort potatoes.