A WORLD-CLASS new dairy farm was inaugurated at Mariental on Friday.
Fully equipped with a state-of-the-art cow house design adapted from Israel and the first manure scraper deployed in southern Africa, the !Aimab Superfarm, an Ohlthaver and List Group (O&L) initiative through Namibia Dairies, promises to produce high-quality milk for the Namibian market and beyond.The N$80 million investment is the result of an agreement between the Namibian Government and the private sector in an effort to promote economic growth. In his keynote address, President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the venture illustrates the success that can be achieved through smart partnerships between Government and the private sector. ‘When the Ohlthaver and List Group of companies identified the opportunity for milk production, they approached Government which in turn made land available by way of a long-term lease. In addition, the Development Bank of Namibia provided financing in order to make the venture a reality. ‘The completion of this project is a welcome contribution to our ongoing efforts to realise the goal to become self-sufficient in this and other areas,’ he said. He added that this new investment would create a substantial number of jobs and change the Hardap landscape. ‘We would also like to see it become a model of efficiency and healthy labour relations, with the ability to sustain the livelihoods of its employees and the community of Mariental. This is in line with our commitment to improve the living conditions of our people and to develop Namibia into a world-class economy by 2030,’ he said. The dairy farm, which is currently in its second phase of development, employs 122 people, accommodates a herd of 1 400 cows in milk and produces more than 30 000 litres of milk a day.At full capacity, the !Aimab Superfarm will house 2 000 cows in milk and a total herd of about 4 500 to 4 800 cattle.The deciding factors in choosing Mariental as the most suitable site for the farm included the abundant supply of water from the Hardap Dam and the availability of fodder produced at the Hardap Irrigation Scheme. The Managing Director of Namibia Dairies, Hubertus Hamm, said O&L supports Government’s strategy to stimulate economic activity in the South and that the Superfarm does not only create direct job opportunities in the region, but has also a huge impact on the demand for raw materials and services, which are provided by the local community. ‘Going forward, Namibia Dairies will continue to work closely with the Hardap Irrigation Scheme and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to ensure that the water supply is guaranteed for many years to come and that maintenance of the Hardap Dam and its irrigation network continues as it is critical to many people, the Superfarm’s success, and to the region as a whole,’ he said. Within the next three to four years the company aims to produce up to 60 000 litres of milk a day at full production, he said.’The additional investment will amount to between N$30 million and N$40 million, and we aim to make a further investment of an estimated N$30 million for a biogas and fertiliser plant. ‘We are also evaluating the feasibility of a Mariental depot for finished goods, as well as the possibility of developing more land in the region for increased local fodder production, to supply the required 30 000 tons of silage that we need every year,’ Hamm said.Asked what the opening of the Superfarm meant for the town of Mariental in terms of development, Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa said: ‘The operation will have immense positive spin-offs for the individuals of Mariental as it will provide employment and contribute to economic advancement. The fact that it is a world-class venture will help put not only the Hardap Region on the map but the country as a whole.’
