Spotlight on Steven Mungongi

Managing Director of Mungongi GROUP - The Mungongi Agriculture Project

Interview by: Ms Chilombo (Olga) Priscila - Economic Researcher & Statistician @ RDJ Consulting

The Mungongi Agriculture Project, founded by Steven Mungongi in 2010, stands as a beacon of resilience and innovation in Namibia’s agricultural landscape. Forced to leave his studies at the University of Namibia in 2008 due to financial constraints, Mungongi returned to his roots in Musese village, Kavango West region with a determination to support his family Starting with a modest one-hectare plot, he began cultivating watermelons and tomatoes with seeds and basic tools provided by his grandmother

Despite the humble beginnings, Mungongi's enterprise quickly flourished By reinvesting profits year after year, the project expanded significantly Officially registered in 2015, the Mungongi Agriculture Project has grown to secure 25 hectares for horticulture and are markable 1,470 hectares for crop production the largest piece of land for such purposes in the constituency Additionally, the project has access to 16 million cubic meters of water annually from the Kavango River for irrigation, a vital resource given the arid climate pump mounted on a trailer When water needs to be pumped, the trailer with the pump is driven to the river There, the submersible pump is immersed in the water, which has a pumping capacity of 20 cubic metres per hour The pumped water then enters the water network, which irrigates the fields via drip and sprinkler systems and feeds an 80,000-litre elevated tank Once the pumping process is complete, the trailer is returned to the farm for safety reasons ”

From its inception with just two volunteers, the project now employs six individuals, with plans to triple this workforce as operations scale up. The strategy of offering competitive pricing and emphasizing community welfare has established a loyal customer base. This commitment to community is further evidenced by the creation of the Mungongi Foundation, which funds sports leagues and provides water to over 500 people, mitigating human-wildlife conflicts in the process. “In recognition of my work and contribution, the traditional authority rewarded me with more land to the tune of 1480 hectares for the sole purpose of agriculture.” said Mr.Mungongi.

A pivotal innovation is the mobile solar-powered irrigation system, developed with the support of GIZ Namibia’s Green People's Energy initiative This groundbreaking system, thefirst of its kind in Namibia, has significantly boosted production capacity by providing a reliable and powerful water source. Its mobility and anti-theft features make it a versatile tool for both agricultural and domestic use.

According to the Green Peoples Energy (GPE), the mobile irrigation system consists of solar panels integrated into a river. GPE further reports the notable benefits brought about opting for a mobile irrigation system for this agriculture project include:

Flood protection: Unpredictable flooding of the Kavango River can threaten solar panels installed near the river bank. A mobile irrigation system allows the modules to be positioned further away to reduce the risk.

Flexibility in water collection: The mobility of the system means that the water extraction point can be chosen flexibly depending on the season. This allows the system to operate more efficiently and ensures optimum access to water.

Anti-theft: Due to increasing theft and vandalism of solar panels and pumps in the region, a mobile system was introduced It can be easily moved and placed in a safer locationtoreducetheriskoftheftanddamage.

The project's success has not gone unnoticed The then Honorable Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila visited to witness firsthand the impact of this innovative irrigation system, underscoring its potential to address water shortages across communities

Looking forward

Mr.Mungongi strongly believes that solar irrigation will continue to evolve and harness agriculture significantly in the near future, especially in off-grid areas. He says “The solar system comes in handy because of the fact that it has zero carbon footprint on the environment and the fact that it is cheaper to operate in the long run”. Meanwhile, his future plans comprise of expanding and utilizing the “1480 hectares of land that we have in order to scale up and go into mass potato production and maize then process the maize into maize meal on site and supply the SADC market, which we look to achieve in the next 2-3 years ”

Furthermore, Mr Mungongi sees his project expanding to include cultivating maize on the extensive plot, processing it on-site into maize meal, and distributing it throughout Namibia and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region at large

A piece of advice he leaves to young professionals looking to follow in his footsteps, he says “they should work hard as there is no substitute for hard work in this world. They should be prepared to go the distance and take the heat if they ever want to realize their dreams because it is possible ”

Mr Mungongi's endeavors in renewable energy applications for sustainable farming exemplify the transformative potential of innovative agricultural practices in rural settings. His mobile solar irrigation system not only addresses the challenges of water scarcity and energy inefficiency but also fosters community engagement and socio-economic development As Namibia grapples with erratic rainfall and drought, Mr Mungongi's project stands as a beacon of resilience and ingenuity. His vision for the future, encompassing large-scale crop production and a commitment to empowering young professionals, underscores a hopeful trajectory for the role of solar irrigation in Namibia's agricultural evolution Through dedication and innovation, Mr Mungongi continues to inspire and pave the way for a sustainable agricultural future.

Readings:

Personal communications with Steven Mungongi. https://gruene-buergerenergie org/en/topics/productive-use/innovativesolar-powered-irrigation-system-on-wheels/