Windhoek (pj/ak) – The Green Schemes in Warmquelle and Khowarib in the Kunene Region are facing severe flood damage, extreme heat and significant crop losses. Despite an investment of N$34 million, the projects are still not generating profits. This was confirmed by manager Johannes Swanepoel during a recent oversight visit by the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF).

Swanepoel, who has managed the schemes for nearly two years, said a pipeline crucial for fodder production was washed away during last year’s floods. Repairs can only begin once the rainy season has ended, as the river remains unpredictable and could destroy new infrastructure again. Work there is expected to start towards the end of March. Flooding and the harsh semi-desert climate have caused crop losses of up to 40 percent, particularly affecting sweet corn. Butternut and green peppers were also affected. Power outages are adding to the difficulties. While irrigation runs on solar energy, packing facilities and offices depend on electricity supplied by the regional distributor Nored, which can fail for days at a time. Produce worth up to N$50,000 in cold storage is at risk during outages.

Despite the setbacks, the schemes employ between 35 and 45 people, around 90 percent of them from local communities. About 65 percent of employees are women, and half are young people receiving daily training in modern farming methods. Although the projects are not yet profitable, core expenses such as salaries, seeds, fertiliser and electricity are covered. An investor has also injected additional six-figure funding. Produce is supplied to markets in Windhoek, such as Freshmark, Metro or the Fresh Produce Market, and fodder is sold to local farmers at nearly half the retail price to assist them during drought periods. Engineers are now working on improved flood protection measures to prevent similar damage in future rainy seasons.