Luqman Cloete
15 June 2011
The Agriculture Ministry has again served eviction notices on about 20 small-scale grape farmers at the Orange River Irrigation Project (ORIP).
“The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry is hereby serving you with a final reminder to vacate the plot within 30 days from the date of receiving this notice as provided for in the leasehold agreement concluded by you and the Ministry,” the eviction notices stated.
The ministry also informed the farmers that it has taken over the plots of those issued with eviction notices with immediate effect.
This is the second time the farmers have been served with eviction notices for their refusal to sign a tripartite contract with Cool Fresh Namibia and Agribank.
The first time was in November last year. The farmers defied the eviction and sold their produce directly to grape buyers instead of through Cool Fresh.
The farmers then said they were willing to sign the agreement on condition that Cool Fresh Namibia was excluded from it.
They claimed they cut out Cool Fresh as middleman because it had prevented them from making maximum profit.
Government had appointed Cool Fresh to render services with regard to planting, harvesting, and marketing of the small-scale grape farmers’ produce.
One of the affected farmers, Agustinus Haith, said the farmers’ decision to stay put on the vineyard plots remained unchanged.
“Since 2001 we’ve invested money and our energy to maintain the vineyards, therefore we’re adamant not to move,” said Haith.
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