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.