A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony yesterday, officially marked the start of the N$ 80 million second phase Naute Irrigation project expansion, as part of the Green Scheme, promoting sustainable food production in the country.

In a joint partnership, United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Al-Dhahra Agricultural Company, and the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC), will cultivate 10 000 date palm varieties, including Medjool, Barhee, Khenezi and Khlass, on 200 hectares of land at Naute Dam, which is located some 40 kilometers south of Keetmanshoop.

Government leased 200 hectares of land to the joint venture, for the period of 50 years.

Al-Dhahra Agricultural Company's Namibian CEO, Abdulkadir Yousuf Saleh, yesterday said his company will be 100 per cent responsible for funding, implementing and designing the project, and expecting to export 2 000 tones of dates to Middle Eastern and European countries annually, starting in the fifth year.

Saleh said seven engineers based in UAE will jet into the country next week to start with the implementation of an irrigation system.

This, he said, will last up to three months.

Saleh added his company will also construct an office facility and staff living quarters at Naute Dam.

Karas regional leadership were, allegedly, in the dark about negotiations with foreign investors involved in the date project expansion, a well-placed source told The Namibian.

In his message, read by Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa, President Hifikepunye Phahamba said the project contributes to Government's efforts for accelerated and sustainable economic growth, and development, aimed at reducing poverty and creating employment.

The project is expected to create 1 030 direct jobs of which 150 will be on a permanent basis.

Complimenting investors for their contribution to employment creation and poverty alleviation, Pohamba noted that the Naute Project, once fully developed, will put more than 650 hectares for dates and grapes, under cultivation.

He said the Naute Project in particular, and the Namibian people, stand to benefit from technological inflow from the UAE, through the joint partnership.

"The acquisition and adoption of technology will, no doubt, also lead to the transfer of appropriate skills and knowledge, which are needed by our people in the quest to improve food production locally," said Pohamba.

He pledged Government's support to investors involved in the project, adding that the country intends to continue attracting investors, and to secure new markets for locally produced products.

"The promotion and achievement of food security and food self-sufficiency enjoys high priority from our Government. Our aim is to ensure that sustainable food production is stimulated, developed and expanded, in order to feed the nation and make the country less dependent on food imports," Pohamba remarked.

He also seized the opportunity to invite all interested stakeholders to an Agriculture Investment Conference, aimed at showcasing potential projects that could lure investments.

"I take this opportunity to invite all interesting parties to this important conference so that policy makers, experts, producers and investors can share views on how we can strengthen Namibia's agricultural sector," said Pohamba.

The conference is schedule to be held from 14-16 September in Windhoek.