Omusati farmer thrives as demand surges
A half-hectare plot dedicated to carrots has turned into a lucrative venture for farmer Johannes Shuuya of Ndinelago Vegetable Farm, situated about 7 km outside Outapi in the Omusati Region.
Shuuya celebrated a successful harvest on Saturday, selling around 130 packs of 3 kg carrots within just three days for a total of N$12 000. He expects his earnings to reach N$24 000 once the full harvest is complete.
In an interview with Network Media Hub, Shuuya said carrots take only about three months to mature.
“When I harvested on Saturday, I received numerous orders. Carrots are selling quickly, which saves me the hassle of storage, as customers purchase directly from the field,” he said.
As not all the carrots mature at the same time, Shuuya harvests the crop in stages. “Some mature faster than others. In two weeks, we will harvest the remaining crops,” he explained.
High demand, no marketing woes
Unlike many farmers, Shuuya says marketing is not a major challenge. “I have a long-term supply agreement with Freshco Markets, and I also receive orders from individuals, especially those organising events such as weddings,” he said.
With demand continuing to rise, Shuuya plans to expand his carrot cultivation from half a hectare to a full hectare.
Although carrots are typically a winter crop, he is not waiting for the next season to plant again. “I will replant in September to cater for December events. I can’t overlook December, as there are numerous weddings and events, and I need to meet my customers’ demands,” he explained.
Shuuya acknowledges that farming has been rewarding, but it has not always been easy. “As a farmer, you must learn every day. If you experience setbacks in a given season, ensure you learn from them and improve for the next time,” he advised.
He uses a thinning technique to remove excess plants, allowing the remaining carrots to grow larger and preventing them from becoming stunted or breaking.
The harvest has also created employment opportunities. Shuuya employs three permanent workers and hires additional casual workers during the harvesting season.
Ndinelago Vegetable Farm does not focus solely on carrots. The farm also produces tomatoes, onions, cabbage, green peppers and butternuts, and has ventured into aquaculture initiatives.
“With proper planning, continuous learning and effective market connections, even a small piece of land can yield significant results,” he added.
