Is it possible to grow fresh produce in the oldest desert of the world and being 10 km away from the Atlantic Ocean? Yes; with some innovation, a desire to continuously learn and adapt, one can achieve the unimaginable.
In a country that is traditionally focused on animal husbandry, Avagro is changing the narratives that it is possible to succeed in the horticultural sector and within the harshest climatic environment (the Namib Desert). From humble beginning in 2017, the journey of Avagro farm started in the terrains of the Namib Desert. Initially, it used to be a small holding with little field open production, particularly Asparagus and Olives.
Upon taking ownership of the farm, the Avagro team had to go through an intensive transformation from traditional farming into precision agriculture.
Speaking to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Avagro, Leonie Hartman, they started off with greenhouses to really move into intensive agriculture where they could do more with the little that is at their disposal. According to Leonie, they started off with a couple of trials to see of what could grow in the oldest desert of the world. This included a variety of more than 40 products which they later narrowed it down.
A journey that was not easy in the beginning as they had no track record of other growers that were producing in the desert and close to the Atlantic Ocean hence they had to study the climate, the temperature, the radiation and the various pests that could attack their operation in that specific environment.
Today, Avagro have grown big and strong, producing over 50 tons of yield almost every month. Their focus is on growing products that are traditionally grown in green houses such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers amongst others. They have also diversified into flowers, herbs and over the years have optimised a lot of their processes, fusing their development with education, skill transfer to make a difference.
Their growth have been well noticed and recognised through the land of the brave. As of 2023, they were the overall NAHA winner category, were they scooped the “Outstanding Horticulture Innovation of the Year Award”. They also received several outstanding awards at NAHA by the year 2024.
Leonie emphasised the importance of the positive transformation that lies in skills transfer, capacity development among their team members, empowering and developing every employee at Avagro. With a labour force of over sixty (60) people, the team work together and complement each other to make a difference. Upon starting, most of their farm workers didn`t have much of the horticultural skills but as of today, most of them have gained the necessary needed skills.
“It is really just very amazing to go into the greenhouse and people who had no experience traditionally in precision agriculture are now able to tell you all the steps for instance on crop work, how to bring a plant into balance, nutrient composition and irrigation regimes”, she narrates.
According to her, it is important that the transformation does not only happen on land but rather to occur within the people, for them to see of what is possible.
Currently, their operation have specialised departments in biotechnology, microbiology, tissue culture lab, young plant production and the green house crop production. Value addition is also being done in the packaging house.
Leonie advised those that want to venture into horticulture to not be intimidated but rather to start small, learn their environment, their soil, and crop and keep on growing from there. “Start small, make the mistake and don’t let them hold you down because every cycle will have a new challenge but it`s part of the agricultural trade. Over the years, the challenges won`t necessary become less but rather one becomes stronger and more skilled”, she stated.
Leonie Hartmann Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Avagro
According to Leonie, it is important that the transformation does not only happen on land but rather to occur within the people.
