The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform continues to push forward its policy of attracting private investors to set up green schemes in the country.
Nduyakupi Nghituwamata (executive director) has released a statement this month stating that the ministry and Namibian Investment Promotion and Development Boards (NIPDB), are inviting applicants to participate in an open bidding process to lease three projects for green schemes under the “build, operate and transfer” model.
The NIPDB was established to facilitate and promote investment by Namibian and foreign investors in the country.
The three projects, which ministry official Felix Ndinamwene described as “virgin land needing to be developed”, are the Tandjieskoppe, Katima Mulilo farm Liselo, and zone irrigation projects.
“These are new projects and the winning bidders have to develop them on a build-operate-transfer agreement with the government. The business plan of the investor will dictate how long they would operate the project to recoup their investments,” he said.
Nghituwamata stated in the statement that bids must be submitted to the executive director by 17 October at 11:00.
“Bids will be opened in the presence of the applications’ representatives who choose to attend in person at the ministry’s offices at 11h05 on 17 October,” he said.
Calle Schlettwein is the minister of agriculture and water reform. She has accompanied Hage Geingob at many international forums including Expo 2020 Dubai and Davos summit in Switzerland. The goal was to attract investors to the Namibian agricultural sector, particularly to green schemes that would improve food security and cut down on imports.
Simonis Storm Securities analysis of Namibian Agronomic Board data shows that there will be shortages of various horticulture/crop products in the coming year due to limited production.
“This implies local supply will be largely insufficient, increasing the import requirement for basic foods.
“While global food prices are showing signs of moderation, local shortages are likely to keep local food prices elevated as it takes time for lower global prices to filter through,” Simonis said.
Last month, the minister informed regional leaders in Kavango West that the government would not allow them to run green schemes because it was returning to the original model.
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Source: namibian
