The Sikondo Green Scheme in the Kavango West Region is in the final stages of preparations for its winter potato harvest.

Acting Farm Manager Maxwell Nghidinwa says, for the first time, Sikondo will be harvesting 20 hectares of potatoes, starting in June. 

The green scheme, which would usually plant only 10 hectares of potatoes, increased the area under cultivation this season in response to growing demand.

Final preparations include making sure that all the machines are greased and all spare parts for the sorting machines in the warehouse are ordered. 

“We need to make sure that the regular spare parts that usually break during the operation are already in stock, so that when anything breaks, there is not a long waiting period when it comes to procuring and repairing,” says the acting farm manager. 

The final stages also include applying chemicals and fertilisers to the potato tubers which will assist with the hardening of the skin. 

“When the skin is well hardened, it reduces the chances of them rotting when you are packing them in the bags,” Nghidinwa added. 

Preparations also include making sure that there is enough money to pay the extra casual workers who will be working in the fields.