Communal farmers in the northern parts of the country have for the past weeks been hard at work ploughing their crop fields.
They need to meet household demands and those of the local market, following good rains that covered most parts of the country. Northern farmers hard at work after good rains
Some parts of Namibia, especially the northern areas, have since the beginning of the year received good showers, which have prompted many communal farmers to start ploughing their mahangu fields.
One of the subsistence farmers, Asteria Kanguluwe from Okando village in the Omusati region, said she is optimistic about this year’s harvest and although rain comes and goes, she remains hopeful that this year will be much better than last year.
“Good rains have instilled a sense of hope in most farmers in our region. We received very good rainfall recently and now it’s time to work our fields and hopefully get a good harvest,” she said.
From a distance, magnificent crops can be seen fresh in the mahangu field belonging to Magano Gabriel at Ompundja village in the same region.
“We are very happy to see the mahangu germinating and this is a sign of a positive yield,” shared Gabriel, adding that the rainy season has started very well.
Selma Iyambo from Ehafo lyaKandenge in Omusati region said she cultivated a sizable portion of land, and a good harvest is expected this year.
“We are praying for average rainfall because if it rains heavily, our crops will be destroyed,” she said.
Livestock farmers
Still, in the Omusati region, Simon Timoteus from Onaushe village told AgriToday that most livestock farmers are excited about the rain they have experienced so far.
“The animals that survived the worst drought are getting stronger by the day and some are already expecting, which might be an indication of a better season ahead,” said an excited Timoteus.
Another small-scale livestock farmer, Zein Immanuel from Omatale village said he lost more than five cattle due to drought last year. But he is adamant that this year will be much better.
“My cattle look good now and I am just hoping the good rain we got does not stop anytime soon,” he said.
As a result of the downpours, many earth dams are full and could last the farmers a while before they dry out again.
-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na