Farm Tree Forum

In terms of infrastructure Sustainche would assume that we have at least two priority challenges on Sustainche Farm: Electricity and water !
1. Sustainche Farm is not connected to the Namibian electricity network. Even in the unlikely event that it would be connected in the near future, it is almost certain that the electricity fee will tremendously increase during the years ahead. Taking into consideration opportunities for diversification of income for the farm family (such as investment in an electricity driven mahangu pounding machine) the demand for electricity will amplify. Thus, Sustainche would like to suggest to start investing in more photo voltaic solar panels (one after one) which are able to supply more than the present few light bulbs and the TV.
2. Indeed there is one central water tap in the farm house. However, for extended irrigation of e.g. the tasty Owambo tomatoes this water from the tap is too expensive. We can also expect that in future the water fee will increase due to an increasing electricity fee. Sustainche only recently was informed that there is an “old water well” on the neighbouring farm. Shall we explore how productive this well is and negotiate to jointly utilize it with the neighbours ? Shall we investigate the feasibility of an own water well on Sustainche Farm ? Or, could it be enough to increase the efficiency of water collection on the farm area during the rainy season to increase the small-scale irrigation potential ?

Let’s discuss 🙂

‘Traditional’ versus ‘Modern’ Architecture?

Just to take up an earlier discussion under ‘Questions & Answers’:
When the farm house is being maintained or new buildings are constructed, what kind of materials would you prefer to be used? Is it to go for traditional materials that are available in the surrounding environment or ‘modern’ materials such as bricks, metal and plastic? Just remember the family discussion on how to deal with the mahangu storage baskets ... 😉

+++ Sustainche Farm needs donkey +++

Having the ploughing seasons just ahead of us, Sustainche would like to draw attention to the fact that traditionally Sustainche Farm fields were ploughed by donkeys. Today we do not have any donkeys. Therefore, Sustainche would like to propose to invest in a donkey that can help Tate Fillipus to do the hard field work. Perhaps it would be also nice if this donkey has a donkey friend 😉

Sustainche likes donkeys 🙂

unfortunately young people don't like hard work, so the investion of a marula oil produktion maschine would be a good idea. Also the production would be quicker and you have more time for other things.

greetings from germany
Manfredche II

Hello Manfredche II,

Thank you very much indeed for your kind birthday wishes and greetings from Germany!

Sustainche & Lisa clearly prefer a water-well located on Sustainche Farm, which not only takes into account the question of free access, but also the ability to guarantee a high water quality standard. In any case this would be a considerable investment.

We also highly appreciate your proposal for a ‘Sustainche Farm Solar Park’. Again, this would be a huge investment that could only be realized with external funding. Perhaps it is too early to think about a solar park. This is also because there is no feed-in tariff law (‘Energie-Einspeise-Gesetz’) being in place in Namibia yet. However, ‘island-style’ ‘solar harvest’ could be an option, which practically means to install more solar panels beyond the existing single solar panel.

Dear Sustainche Farm Community, don’t hesitate to join our discussion!
Warm regards, Sustainche & Lisa 🙂