Strengthen the chain of fruit and vegetable production at the ORIP farm in Namibia Applicant AgroCap Invest B.V. and local partner NAMS (Namibian Agro Management Services) will set up a joint venture to develop a commercial production field of vegetable crops and a modern cold store. NAMS recently acquired a 10 year contract to manage the ORIP farm (Orange River Irrigation Project) in the South of Namibia. The focus of this farm has so far been on grapes only, all for export.This project will focus on producing fruit and vegetables for the local market using improved cultivation techniques, including HACCP and GlobalGAP certification. Markets to be served are local markets in the project area, as well as Windhoek and Cape Town. The joint venture will offer locally produced crops, which should replace the very expensive fruit and vegetables which are currently all imported from South Africa. Even produce from Namibia is first transported to South Africa, to Cape Town or Piketberg, because of a lack of cold storage facilities in Namibia. The project will create employment in a very remote area and will support some 20 settlers with their agricultural production.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture considers CSR a high priority.• Labour standards will include a minimum age for employees of 16 years, working weeks of 45 hours in summer and 40 in winter and paying 150% for working on a Saturday and double on Sundays. Also, workers may consume fruit and vegetables that are produced at the field, transport will be provided free of charge. A safety plan will be implemented for the cold store, protective clothing is provided and employees can go to a health clinic twice a week on company costs.• The joint venture will acquire HACCP and GlobalGAP certificates.• The joint venture is also active in Corporate Social Involvement. They will extend the Stars in their Eyes programme to Aussenkehr. This is a community development programme, using football to promote teamwork, commitment and a healthy lifestyle.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsThe joint venture will employ 101 people by the end of the pilot, of whom about 70 will be seasonal workers. Medium-/high-level jobs concern 4 managers, 6 foremen, 8 in administration. All other jobs are basic-level.The 20 settlers will get support and training to extend their 2 ha grape farm with 2 ha of vegetables.Salaries will be about 25% above minimum wage.Two years after the project the joint venture will employ 137 people, of whom about 95 seasonal workers. The number of small-scale farmers will increase to 30.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe employees will all have to adhere to the standards of GlobalGAP and HACCP. The settlers will also be trained in good agricultural practice.•	Chain effectsThe 20 settlers will benefit from this project as the vegetables they will grow, using the infrastructure and sales channels of the joint venture, will give them year-round income, instead of only during the grape season.Local stores, salesmen and supermarkets do no longer have to purchase their vegetables from Windhoek or Cape Town and will get them at a lower price.The joint venture will buy their inputs locally, from about 9 different suppliers. Inputs include packing material, transport services, fertilizers, etc.•	EnvironmentThe overall impact on the environment will be neutral. The joint venture will be HACCP and GlobalGAP certified. The joint venture will implement a policy to deal with solid waste and intends to use compost instead of chemical fertilizers as much as possible.•	Position of womenApproximately 60% of the employees will be women. Several middle management positions in the administrative department will be available for women. To set up a certified production chain of fruit and vegetable crops, including the development of a cold chain, for sales at the Namibian market as well as export to Cape Town.