International demand for Neckartal land
Time is running out for crop farmers interested in the new irrigation scheme in southern Namibia.
The clock is ticking for aspiring farmers who would like irrigable land as construction of the Neckartal Dam races towards completion. This is according to the Agribusdev's managing director, Petrus Uugwana, who says the land is attracting a lot of attention.
He informed Namibian Sun that 1 800 hectares of land had been earmarked for irrigation purposes and that the project had attracted international attention too.
Agribusdev has placed newspaper advertisements calling for expressions of interest from would-be commercial farmers.
The land, according to Agribusdev, is suitable for the production of table grapes, wheat, dates, vegetables and maize. It forms part of the Ministry of Water, Agriculture and Forestry's Green Scheme project.
“Many companies and individuals have registered interest but since the deadline is 3 March we cannot give the exact figure at this stage,” Uugwanga said.
Of Agribusdev's role, Uugwanga said: “It will act as a facilitator until appropriate contracts are signed between the successful bidder and the agriculture ministry, upon which Agribusdev will assume its monitoring function.”
At this stage, registered businesses are eligible to apply for land. Joint-venture initiatives are required to submit agreements that they will be jointly and severally liable for the successful completion of their projects. In case of a joint venture, separate documents for each of the partners should be submitted, together with a summary statement of net cash accruals for the past five years and the net worth of the partners, which must be certified by a chartered accountant where applicable.
“Local participation and empowerment of Namibians while black economic empowerment entities [in the absence of an empowerment framework] will be an added advantage,” Uugwanga said.
Neckartal's irrigation land is expected to remain state land and business will be conducted on the build, operate and transfer principle.
Water for the irrigation project will be sourced from the dam, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
OGONE TLHAGE
He informed Namibian Sun that 1 800 hectares of land had been earmarked for irrigation purposes and that the project had attracted international attention too.
Agribusdev has placed newspaper advertisements calling for expressions of interest from would-be commercial farmers.
The land, according to Agribusdev, is suitable for the production of table grapes, wheat, dates, vegetables and maize. It forms part of the Ministry of Water, Agriculture and Forestry's Green Scheme project.
“Many companies and individuals have registered interest but since the deadline is 3 March we cannot give the exact figure at this stage,” Uugwanga said.
Of Agribusdev's role, Uugwanga said: “It will act as a facilitator until appropriate contracts are signed between the successful bidder and the agriculture ministry, upon which Agribusdev will assume its monitoring function.”
At this stage, registered businesses are eligible to apply for land. Joint-venture initiatives are required to submit agreements that they will be jointly and severally liable for the successful completion of their projects. In case of a joint venture, separate documents for each of the partners should be submitted, together with a summary statement of net cash accruals for the past five years and the net worth of the partners, which must be certified by a chartered accountant where applicable.
“Local participation and empowerment of Namibians while black economic empowerment entities [in the absence of an empowerment framework] will be an added advantage,” Uugwanga said.
Neckartal's irrigation land is expected to remain state land and business will be conducted on the build, operate and transfer principle.
Water for the irrigation project will be sourced from the dam, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
OGONE TLHAGE
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