Asparagus project, solar farm Omusati highlights for 2017

Thirty hectares of land are already covered with asparagus crops in Omusati.

The Asparagus Agro-Processing Project and solar farm in the Omusati Region are regarded as highlights for 2017 by Regional Governor Erginus Endjala.

The asparagus project is a 10-year partnership between the ministry of agriculture, water and forestry and Spanish company, Industrias Alimentarias de Navarra (IAN), signed in October 2017.

“As we speak, planting has already started and 30 hectares of land have been covered with crops,” Endjala said.

The project covers a 60 hectare piece of land on the Etunda Irrigation Scheme.

“We will also set up a factory so we can export asparagus and this will create jobs for at least 400 people,” said the Omusati governor.

At the signing ceremony last year, John Mutorwa, the minister of agriculture, water and forestry, said the project is aimed at generating much-needed foreign currency for the country.

Endjala further told Nampa that the completion of main construction works of the solar farm project underway in Outapi, was another 2017 highlight.

Construction of the solar farm project started in 2015.

“We expect to be connected to the national power grid by February this year,” he added.

Endjala however said it was not all successes in the Omusati Region as water shortages continued to pose a threat to some of the communities.

“We planned to set up water catchment systems to provide water during the dry season, but due to the budget cuts, this did not happen,” he said.

He added that the national budget cuts were also a lesson learned and that his region would rededicate itself and put more effort in rendering good services. - Nampa