Page 22 - UNAM Forum ED2-2021

Young graduates trained

in precision

desert agriculture

...the trainees were taught how to produce

crops under the harshest conditions in

Namibia, e.g. the Namib Desert.

n the 25th of March Africa Innovation Support peppers, eggplants, watermelons
2021, a group of programme and that the project and cucumbers, among others.
9 agri-preneurs was active since October 2019. The trainees worked at the farm
Ograduated from Dr Mupambwa further indicated with staff from Avagro imparting
practical training under a project that the project managed knowledge to them on a daily
titled, Precision Desert Agriculture to undertake this hands-on basis, including weekends. On
as a Job Creator, The project practical training approach, mushroom production, the
was led by the University of which involved precision trainees learned about the
Namibia (Sam Nujoma Campus) horticulture crop production, as production of oyster and button
in partnership with AvaGro well as mushroom production. mushrooms. This process involved
(Farm Shalom – Swakopmund) The entire training process was the following: pure culture
and Jayden Nashe Enterprises completed over 8 months. The multiplication, spawn production,
(South Africa). Present at the horticulture crop training was substrate inoculation, spawn
graduation ceremony were, the done at AvaGro’s Farm Shalom running, fruiting and harvesting of
Mayor of Henties Bay Town, His in Swakopmund, whilst the oyster mushrooms. Apart from practical
Worship Lewies Vermaak; the Pro- and button mushroom training skills in agriculture, the trainees
Vice Chancellor for Research, was done at UNAM, Sam Nujoma also learned about best-practice
Innovation and Development, Campus. On horticulture crop methods to develop investable
Prof Anicia Peters and production, the trainees were business proposals. These trainees
representatives from AgriBank of taught how to produce crops are now busy in the field, pitching
Namibia, Namibia Agronomic under the harshest conditions in ideas to various investors and
Board and Swakopmund Namibia, e.g. the Namib Desert, funders for capital or seed
Municipality. through the use of a controlled funding.
environment, use of artificial
The ceremony started with planting media, and precise
the project manager, Dr water and nutrient application. Trainees captured here with their
Mupambwa, giving some This saw them experiencing a certificates, after showcasing
background about the project. full cycle of production for most their prototypes.
He pointed out that the project of the vegetables consumed in The representatives from AvaGro,
was financed by the Southern Namibia, i.e. spinach, tomatoes, Mr Ruben Shukulo and Jayden

22 Official Newsletter