Good rains, great news for Hardap irrigation farmers

NamWater, in consultation with the agriculture and water ministry, has approved a request from the Hardap Farmers’ Association to increase irrigation supply at the Hardap irrigation scheme to 100%, following positive inflows into the dam.Following good rainfall since 10 February and significant inflow, the level of the Hardap Dam stood at approximately 23% yesterday afternoon.“This is great news for Hardap!” the chairperson of the farmers&#039; association, Dawie de Klerk, told Network Media Hub (NMH) yesterday.He confirmed that the increase took effect on Tuesday after the dam level rose from 16% to 23%.“Farmers are scrambling to get beans in the ground as quickly as possible to ensure the land does not remain idle,” De Klerk said.“We are grateful for the inflow and hope there will be even more, allowing us to plant winter crops like wheat after the harvest.”Taps closed last yearIrrigation at the Hardap irrigation scheme was halted at the end of October last year when the dam reached its lowest recorded level of 6.3%.In mid-January, water supply to the scheme was restored at a 20% water-saving rate, allowing producers to receive 80% of their usual irrigation water consumption.Before the recent rainfall and inflow, the dam was 14.8% full, according to a 3 February dam bulletin (compared to 16.3% during the same period in 2024). Since then, the level has risen to 23%.NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata confirmed that the lifting of restrictions followed a comprehensive dry-run analysis and positive inflow into the dam, allowing irrigation activities to resume at full capacity while ensuring sustainable water supply for the region.“This decision will help sustain livelihoods and preserve jobs in Mariental and surrounding areas, strengthening the local economy and agricultural productivity,” he said.The Hardap Dam is widely regarded as the lifeline of Mariental’s economy.NamWater has urged farmers to continue applying water-efficient irrigation practices to support long-term water security."While this decision provides immediate relief and economic benefits, responsible water management remains a shared priority," Ndamanomhata said.

Good rains, great news for Hardap irrigation farmers

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

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Good rains, great news for Hardap irrigation farmers

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-26

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