Water flows again to Hardap irrigation scheme

After months without water, the supply to the Hardap irrigation scheme has been restored on a 20% water-saving basis. This means that producers will now receive 80% of their usual water allocation for irrigation.Dawie de Klerk of the Hardap Farmers Association confirmed the development yesterday, saying, “Water was opened this morning [Wednesday] and is currently being loaded on the system. It will hopefully be ready for irrigation within two days at 80% of the normal water use.”NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata stated that irrigation water supply is set to commence on 20 January 2025. The system loading, which began yesterday, is essential to remove air from the irrigation system. He explained that this decision follows extensive consultations with stakeholders, a detailed assessment of water availability, and updated evaluations of potential inflows.This welcome development comes after producers submitted a request to NamWater to resume water supply to the irrigation scheme. The agriculture ministry approved the request after good rains in the catchment area of the Hardap Dam.NamWater had suspended irrigation water supply from the Hardap Dam on 31 October 2024 due to critically low water levels, which had dropped below 6.5%. However, recent rains have boosted the dam’s level from 5.5% to 16.6%. While this is still lower than the 18.1% recorded at the same time last year, it marks a significant improvement.The Hardap Dam has a total capacity of 320 million cubic meters, making its recovery crucial for the region's agricultural activities.According to the Namibia Meteorological Services’ latest rainfall bulletin, December 2024 was predominantly dry across much of the country, with only isolated showers in the northern regions. Despite this, above-average rainfall was observed in areas such as Ohangwena, Oshana, Kunene, Oshikoto, Kavango East, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, and Hardap.The forecast for February to March 2025 predicts above-normal rainfall for most of the country. Normal rainfall is expected in central Namibia, while the Namib Desert is likely to experience below-average rainfall.Mariental, which plays a key role in the Hardap region’s agriculture, received 29 mm of rain in December, bringing its seasonal total since October to 40 mm.

Water flows again to Hardap irrigation scheme

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-18

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Water flows again to Hardap irrigation scheme

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-18

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