Govt targets boreholes to boost Ekoka green scheme

The agriculture ministry plans to transform the 140-hectare Ekoka brownfield in the Ohangwena region into a fully fledged, irrigated green scheme to boost food security. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Romeo Muyunda yesterday said the project is currently at its initial stage. Muyunda said trial crops, which include mahangu, sorghum, cowpea and maize, have already been planted, while feasibility studies to determine the quality of water and soil at the farm are being undertaken. “Currently, the crops are rain fed, but there are plans to transition to an irrigation system. To date, four boreholes have been drilled,” he said. Muyunda said the green scheme is located at Ekoka village in the Okongo constituency of the Ohangwena region, and is a new green scheme project. Of the 140 hectares, 110 hectares are under active cultivation this season. Muyunda said the crops are currently all ready for harvest. He said mahangu dominates the green scheme with 70 hectares, followed by sorghum with 20 hectares. Cowpea was planted on 15 hectares, while maize was planted on five hectares, reflecting a diversified production profile. Thus far, 80% of perimeter fencing has been completed, though the remaining gap poses risks of animal intrusion, alongside bird pressure and irregular rainfall. Muyunda said a consultant has been appointed to conduct an environmental impact assessment and topographic study to support the rehabilitation of the agricultural plots and the access road to the project, and stakeholder consultations have been completed. He said the project’s plans for 2026/27 include the construction and maintenance of irrigation infrastructure and the procurement of seeds, chemicals and fertilisers for the summer cropping season. The project will be irrigated with water from boreholes. The ministry last year said the project would boost food production in the country, create employment opportunities, and ensure surrounding communities benefit directly from agricultural produce. The ministry’s move to establish the green scheme at Ekoka was in response to president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s directive last year that the government should acquire and expand more land for agricultural production. Photo: Absalom Shigwedha The post Govt targets boreholes to boost Ekoka green scheme appeared first on The Namibian .