GIPF’s blueberry farm injects N$1.5m monthly during harvesting period

Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) CEO Martin Inkumbi says the blueberry farm at Mashare in the Kavango East Region injects approximately N$1 million to N$1.5 million per month into the local economy during the harvesting period.

Inkumbi expressed his satisfaction with The Mashare Berries Farm's contributions during a familiarisation visit last week.

“I am very satisfied and happy to see the impact on the livelihoods of these people and their families. The women working here can earn up to N$200 a day during the harvesting season, which is a significant amount over a few hours. This money circulates in the economy, with people buying from local shops, making private investments, improving their houses and paying school fees,” he said.

Great growth

Inkumbi said the Mashare blueberry project, funded by GIPF, has shown remarkable progress.

“We’re very happy and impressed with their progress. They have about 60 hectares under irrigation and are exporting their produce. A significant number of people, especially women from the region, are employed here. Over 70 women are working in the initial weeks of harvesting, and at the peak of the season, they can employ up to 800 people," he said.

"All these employees, both seasonal and permanent, come from the region. Additionally, they are being trained in various aspects of blueberry farming, such as management and packaging."

“I can call it a pilot project in Namibia for blueberry farming. We are learning from the management about its impact on the region. It's attracting interest, and there are already two other small-scale blueberry projects starting because people see the potential. There is potential to grow this industry further,” he added.

Positive outlook

Inkumbi said the berries are exported via South Africa.

“They pick the fruits and truck them to Oliver Tambo International Airport for export. However, if the blueberry industry can grow and more tonnage is produced in Namibia, they will achieve scale and be able to export the product through Walvis Bay. This growth will positively impact our local economy, not only by increasing production and employment on the farms but also by boosting the logistics industry and exporting through our port,” he explained.

Investor and Unlisted Investment Manager Albert Basson said the farm's conditions can make it “a globally cost-competitive producer of blueberries.”

“We did extensive work analysing the soil, weather and water, and we believe that Kavango can be a globally cost-competitive producer of blueberries. We are working hard to make that dream a reality, and here we have our first 60 hectares," Basson said.

"We are busy with development expansion plans. Next year, we will add another 30 hectares, bringing us to 90 hectares. Hopefully, within the next five years, we will reach close to 200 hectares under production."

“We have different varieties that bear fruit at different times during the harvest season. Our earliest variety starts in mid-to-late June, and our latest variety will go up to November. From June to November, there will be berries on this farm," he explained.

He said at the moment, "we have over 100 permanent employees. Seasonal employees may peak at around 800, which is a lot. As we expand, that number will increase even more."

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