The Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP) at Aussenkehr is expected to harvest 200 metric tonnes of dates this season. 

ORIP farm manager Paulus Mungoba spoke to nbc News about the development. 

The project cultivates Medjool and Kwadrawi dates on 29 hectares of land, and the harvesting of dates is set for the end of April.

"The expected yield here is now very convincing compared to the last two years because, for the last two years, it has been increasing. Now we're expecting 200 metric tonnes of dates, especially on our Medjool. We don't really count on the two other cultivars because their harvest is very minimal, and also the market for it is really not the same as these Medjool."

Mungoba explained the dates are exported through buyers selected via a tender process.

He highlighted broken cool room facilities as one of the main challenges despite the expected bumper harvest.

However, Mungoba announced that the cool room would soon undergo repairs, estimated to cost N$1.4 million.

He said about 100 job opportunities are created during the harvesting period.