Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) has failed to explain why Naute Kristel Distillery, a wine-producing farm owned by a private tenant, continues to receive free raw materials from the Naute Irrigation Project.
This is according to a report by the National Council Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Economy on agro-projects across the country.
The committee found that the distillery receives free grapes and dates from the Naute Irrigation Project, along with free water and electricity.
The Naute Irrigation Project, managed by Nida, is located about 50 kilometres southwest of Keetmanshoop, in southern Namibia. It lies just below the Naute Dam wall.
The project began in 1990, with the first date palms planted in 1991.
The project established itself as a commercial agricultural enterprise.
It mainly grows dates and grapes, with pomegranates and prickly pears produced in smaller amounts. Grapes are harvested between November and January, and dates are picked from February to May.
The committee report follows media reports suggesting that produce not fit for export or local markets is used to make liquor and gin for export at the distillery.
The committee, chaired by Peter Kazongominja, said many Nida projects are in poor shape.
During visits to Nida sites in the //Karas Region, the committee found widespread neglect and vandalism.
The committee stated that Nida’s failure to pay for water and electricity led to the abandonment of many projects.
The Naute Irrigation Project runs on a monthly petty cash fund of N$5,000.
The committee said this amount is too little to cover basic farming needs.
In the Otjozondjupa Region, the committee found no running water at the Biomass Project in Otjiwarongo, the Otjiwarongo SME Park, and the Omulunga SME Park in Grootfontein.
Nida’s non-payment led to the suspension of water services.
A warehouse storing animal feed, maize grain, and feed crushing machines at the Biomass Project has remained open and unsecured since the committee’s last visit in 2023.
Other machines were kept in an old, unsecured building outside the project site.
At the Manjeha Crocodile Farm in the Zambezi Region, the committee noted that the National Youth Service had built a new fence in September 2024 at a cost of N$1.25 million.
The fence was meant to protect the farm from wild animals and vandalism.
Despite this, the project appeared abandoned, with broken lights, damaged roofs, and incomplete buildings.
In Kavango West, the committee noted some progress since their 2023 visit.
The farm now receives a steady supply of diesel, cattle feed, medicine, N$5,000 monthly petty cash, and two new vehicles.
About 98 to 99% of the cattle are tagged. But the committee found only 52 bulls for 4,001 cows, far below the recommended one bull per 25 cows.
Kazongominja said the poor state of infrastructure and weak management across Nida projects show an urgent need for better oversight and improved resource allocation.
