Desie Heita
8 May 2008
Windhoek — A good harvest is expected this year, except in the northern communal areas where a lower than normal harvest is expected due to the recent floods.
But this is expected to be offset by an above normal harvest in the Kavango and Caprivi regions, where a harvest of about 6000 tonnes of white maize is expected, said the Agronomic Board of Namibia.
Estimates are that between 45000 and 50000 tonnes of grain - mahangu, maize and wheat - will be harvested this year, compared to the yield of about 42 000 tonnes last year.
Last year also recorded a good wheat harvest of 12000 tonnes.
Most of the crops, especially white maize and wheat, are cultivated under irrigation in Kavango, Caprivi, Hardap and Etunda.
While the local expected harvest is healthy, there are concerns over rising global food prices.
Total crop production in Namibia is between 80000 and 100000 tonnes against the country consumption of 220000 tonnes.
"If there is a worldwide crisis we might find it difficult in future to import the balance of our requirements as crops might be expensive," said Antoinette Venter of the Agronomic Board.
Thus, the Government is erecting silos countrywide for strategic reasons. Venter said they have already started filling the silos. "We have to keep the silos full at all times," she said.
During the harvest season, the silos are filled with local production and with imported production during non-harvesting seasons.
Challenging the farmers, however, are the input costs, which are getting very high, said Venter.
Venter said the estimates are that Namibian farmers have experienced a 100 percent increase in their input costs compared to last year.
"Farmers cannot produce anymore for it is too expensive to land their input material at their farms to produce," said Venter.
The United Nations Food Agricultural Organisation said it needs US$1.7 billion for this year to be able to assist low income countries with seed, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs required to boost production.
The Agronomic Board is currently looking at various ways in which it can assist Namibian farmers. "We have a few things in mind," said Venter, without elaborating.
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