Page 23 - UNAM Forum ED2-2021

Nashe Enterprises, Mr Hlerema, also encouraged the young and now fully equipped graduates to take the
bull by the horn and become full-time agri-preneurs that can contribute to food security in Namibia. The
trainees were also encouraged to transfer the skills that have been imparted onto them, to other young
entrepreneurs in various regions.

Ms Abrahams from the Namibia Agronomic Board also gave a presentation on the overview of the
horticultural industry in Namibia, and encouraged the trainees that have now registered a company called
Innovative Green Hands, to work together with NAB in order for them to plan profitable business ventures in
Namibia. Ms Smith from AgriBank of Namibia also highlighted the will of AgriBank to support initiatives such
as the one developed by the graduating trainees. She also encouraged the young company Innovative
Green Hands to make use of the various loan facilities that are being offered by AgriBank, such as the
women and youth facility, where collateral issues can now be waived for applicants.

The Mayor of Henties Bay made the occasion memorable by ensuring the future of the Innovative Green
Hands agribusiness, as he committed the Municipality of Henties Bay to offer the young agri-preneurs land
in Henties Bay for them to undertake their agri-business. Land is among the most critical challenges that
young entrepreneurs face when looking for funding. In conclusion, the PVC-RID for UNAM, Prof Peters,
indicated that the project has set the tone for community engagement projects at UNAM, and thanked
SAIS for providing the funding for this project, as well as the consortium members Avagro and Jayden
Nashe Enterprises for transferring their business and practical skills to the young graduates.

To date, the young agri-preneurs have designed a prototype portable hydroponic unit capable of
producing fresh vegetables for family’s that live in towns where space and land are limited. They are now
marketing this as part of their product basket.

The trainees can be contacted at innovativegreenhands@gmail.com; whilst the project manager can be
contacted at hmupambwa@unam.na.

23 Official Newsletter