Schlettwein outlines investment opportunities
Desalination, irrigation schemes have much potential
The agriculture minister told potential investors at the Dubai Expo that investment opportunities abound in Green Scheme projects in Namibia, for which land is already secured.
A key water demand area of Namibia is the Central Coastal region, which is expected to require 36 500 megalitres per annum by 2030 for public and private use.
Of this only 12 000 megalitres per annum can be supplied from existing sources.
This is according to agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, who was speaking at the investment summit held in Dubai about agriculture investment opportunities in Namibia.
“In addition to major growth driving industries such as mining, secure water supply for households is also required beyond the central coastal region to supply the central regions. An additional source (desalination plant) of about 20 000 megalitres per annum is required."
He said to enhance security of water supply to the central coastal region, the government has decided to invest in a desalination plant through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
According to him, the desalination Plant will be part of an integrated water supply system for the Central Coastal areas.
“The feasibility study on the desalination is finalised and the PPP process is advanced. The land site is already acquired and water abstraction and power off-take arrangements are now underway.”
Namwater is the implementing agency for the project.
He further said that investment opportunities abound in green scheme projects in Namibia for which land is already secured.
He explained that the government has developed a total of 11 green scheme projects which it now intends to lease out to the private sector.
“The green schemes encourage the development of irrigated agronomic production with a target of approximately 9 000 hectares along the perennial rivers bordering Namibia.”
Schlettwein said to better leverage private capital and ensure sustained production and productivity of the green schemes, the government has now taken a principle decision to lease out the 11 green schemes through competitive outsourcing as the first option and PPPs as may be appropriate.
He said the ministry intends to issue the Request for Proposals (RFPs) by June to the market for competitive bidding by July.
“The schemes will be leased as is.”
The schemes have been operated by the government or the AgriBusDev, Section 21 Company responsible for the oversight and management functions for the green schemes.
In addition, four green field projects, which require development, hold potential for growth and jobs, Schlettwein said.
The four projects are Neckartal Dam irrigation scheme (5000 ha), Zone (1000 ha) and Tanjieskoppe (500 ha) as well as Katima-Liselo (1000 ha).
The envisaged Neckartal irrigation project would utilise the Neckartal Dam, holding 830 million cubic meter of water.
Schlettwein said livestock farming contributes approximately two-thirds of agricultural production in Namibia, while crop farming makes of the remaining.
According to him Namibia is a premier producer of beef, with a total cattle population of 2.5 million in 2019.
“It is a multi-million-dollar industry in terms of total sales. In recent years the export of crops, vegetables, fruits and forestry products has grown by value of which table grapes has been the largest contributor. The table grapes and dates are high-value crops worth multi-million dollars in earnings.”
Schlettwein added that Namibia’s beef and sheep products are free from Genetically Modified Organisms and the cattle are fed on rangeland.
He said that the sector is poised to supply the UAE and the Middle East with high quality beef, sheep and goat products.
“Investment opportunities in value chain activities, particularly meat processing and related industries such as canning, tannery and leather products.”
He said that veterinary service provision, animal vaccine and medicine production may offer equally viable investment opportunities.
Of this only 12 000 megalitres per annum can be supplied from existing sources.
This is according to agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein, who was speaking at the investment summit held in Dubai about agriculture investment opportunities in Namibia.
“In addition to major growth driving industries such as mining, secure water supply for households is also required beyond the central coastal region to supply the central regions. An additional source (desalination plant) of about 20 000 megalitres per annum is required."
He said to enhance security of water supply to the central coastal region, the government has decided to invest in a desalination plant through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
According to him, the desalination Plant will be part of an integrated water supply system for the Central Coastal areas.
“The feasibility study on the desalination is finalised and the PPP process is advanced. The land site is already acquired and water abstraction and power off-take arrangements are now underway.”
Namwater is the implementing agency for the project.
He further said that investment opportunities abound in green scheme projects in Namibia for which land is already secured.
He explained that the government has developed a total of 11 green scheme projects which it now intends to lease out to the private sector.
“The green schemes encourage the development of irrigated agronomic production with a target of approximately 9 000 hectares along the perennial rivers bordering Namibia.”
Schlettwein said to better leverage private capital and ensure sustained production and productivity of the green schemes, the government has now taken a principle decision to lease out the 11 green schemes through competitive outsourcing as the first option and PPPs as may be appropriate.
He said the ministry intends to issue the Request for Proposals (RFPs) by June to the market for competitive bidding by July.
“The schemes will be leased as is.”
The schemes have been operated by the government or the AgriBusDev, Section 21 Company responsible for the oversight and management functions for the green schemes.
In addition, four green field projects, which require development, hold potential for growth and jobs, Schlettwein said.
The four projects are Neckartal Dam irrigation scheme (5000 ha), Zone (1000 ha) and Tanjieskoppe (500 ha) as well as Katima-Liselo (1000 ha).
The envisaged Neckartal irrigation project would utilise the Neckartal Dam, holding 830 million cubic meter of water.
Schlettwein said livestock farming contributes approximately two-thirds of agricultural production in Namibia, while crop farming makes of the remaining.
According to him Namibia is a premier producer of beef, with a total cattle population of 2.5 million in 2019.
“It is a multi-million-dollar industry in terms of total sales. In recent years the export of crops, vegetables, fruits and forestry products has grown by value of which table grapes has been the largest contributor. The table grapes and dates are high-value crops worth multi-million dollars in earnings.”
Schlettwein added that Namibia’s beef and sheep products are free from Genetically Modified Organisms and the cattle are fed on rangeland.
He said that the sector is poised to supply the UAE and the Middle East with high quality beef, sheep and goat products.
“Investment opportunities in value chain activities, particularly meat processing and related industries such as canning, tannery and leather products.”
He said that veterinary service provision, animal vaccine and medicine production may offer equally viable investment opportunities.
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