Flood devastated crop production at Hardap scheme

WINDHOEK – The recent flooding at Mariental caused extensive damage to the infrastructure of the Hardap irrigation scheme and large-scale financial support is needed for repairs and preventing future flooding.

This is the view of Gerhard van der Merwe, who represents the southern region on the Namibian Agronomic Board. Van der Merwe said in Windhoek on Friday that half of the lucerne fields at the scheme were destroyed by the flood.”We foresee a lucerne shortage for the dairy industry in the near future,” he said.The Hardap Dam’s sluices were opened after heavy rain at the end of February, flooding the irrigation scheme and half of the town of Mariental.All grain and lucerne production was stopped at the Naute Dam irrigation project, Van der Merwe said.Only table grapes and dates are still being produced at the project.He said grape farms in the South had produced an average yield this season, but export prices were about 20 per cent lower than in the previous season.Farmers harvested 9 000 tons of wheat, but the quality was below average, he said.”The date season is in a stage of harvesting and exporting.A total yield of 130 tons is expected with a total value of N$3 million,” Van der Merwe added.* Meanwhile, Mariental flood victims have received another boost, with a donation of N$25 000 from the Alexander Forbes Group.Chairman Sydney Martin said it was the company’s social responsibility to assist when disaster struck.- NampaVan der Merwe said in Windhoek on Friday that half of the lucerne fields at the scheme were destroyed by the flood.”We foresee a lucerne shortage for the dairy industry in the near future,” he said.The Hardap Dam’s sluices were opened after heavy rain at the end of February, flooding the irrigation scheme and half of the town of Mariental.All grain and lucerne production was stopped at the Naute Dam irrigation project, Van der Merwe said.Only table grapes and dates are still being produced at the project.He said grape farms in the South had produced an average yield this season, but export prices were about 20 per cent lower than in the previous season.Farmers harvested 9 000 tons of wheat, but the quality was below average, he said.”The date season is in a stage of harvesting and exporting.A total yield of 130 tons is expected with a total value of N$3 million,” Van der Merwe added.* Meanwhile, Mariental flood victims have received another boost, with a donation of N$25 000 from the Alexander Forbes Group.Chairman Sydney Martin said it was the company’s social responsibility to assist when disaster struck.- Nampa