Crop production among communal farmers in Namibia is declining, raising serious concern. 

This was highlighted by Technical Advisor for Crops and Poultry at Agribank, Hanks Saisai.

Saisai spoke to NBC News, where he discussed the effects of erratic rainfall and suggested ways to improve productivity.

“Erratic rainfall has been a major issue in Namibia. Rainfall often comes when farmers are busy preparing their fields, and then dry spells occur during the growing season, affecting yields and discouraging many farmers from participating in crop production. Human-wildlife conflict is also a challenge, particularly in communal areas where crop farming overlaps with conservancies focused on wildlife conservation.”

He pointed out strategies that can help farmers improve crop production.

“The first and foremost strategy is to know the size of your land. Knowing your production area allows you to plan for costs, decide whether to apply fertilizer, and determine whether you need soil testing. For example, a soil test tells you how much fertilizer is needed. The second step is to consider the growth cycle of your crop. Farmers are also encouraged to perform timely weeding and to consider the proper planting depth for seeds.”

Saisai added that some areas in the Zambezi Region are currently flooded, while areas south of the veterinary cordon fence—specifically Hardap, ||Kharas, and parts of Erongo—have received below-average rainfall. 

Farmers in these areas should therefore prepare for drought.