New life for Uvhungu-Vhungu green scheme

The agriculture ministry is preparing to lease the Uvhungu-Vhungu green scheme to private operators to enhance operational efficiency, investment, and national food security.

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa says the ministry is currently connecting the milking parlour to the national power grind and water supply as part of this process.

Nghipandulwa says once these connections are completed, the ministry will conduct a comprehensive testing of all equipment to ensure full operational readiness before leasing.

“Leasing the facility is strategically important as it promotes private sector participation, attracts investment into the agricultural sector and enhances operational efficiency.

It also supports capacity building through skills transfer, stimulates employment creation in both crop production and diary production and contributes to national food security and self-sustainability,” he says.

He says by leveraging public infrastructure through private management, the government strengthens agricultural productivity while ensuring long-term economic and social benefits.

Nghipandulwa says the Uvhungu-Vhungu green scheme covers 773 hectares of land, comprising irrigated commercial farming land, and a dairy component.

Of these, a total area of 381 hectares are irrigable.

He says for the 2025/26 production season, 312 hectares are allocated to commercial production and 60 hectares to small-scale farmers.

“White maize remains the principle crop, complemented by cabbage and butternuts.The scheme also plans to enhance yields and reduce production costs.”

In the previous season, an average yield of 8.2 tonnes per hectare was harvested, and for the current season, production is projected to more than double.

Nghipandulwa says although storage capacity remains a challenge, the green scheme has strengthened its operational capacity through the acquisition of new machinery, including a combine harvester to reduce harvesting delays, replacement of irrigation systems and planned irrigation automation.

“Grains silos have been budgeted for installation in the 2026/7 financial year to further enhance post-harvest management,” he says.

Nghipandulwa says the ministry is already in talks with the O&L Namibia Dairies in connection with taking over the green scheme.

There are currently 11 green schemes in the country – some of which are operated under the agriculture ministry, while others are leased to private operators.

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