Namibia’s crop sector is essential because it ensures food availability at household, regional, and national levels. It also generates much-needed employment opportunities that provide income for rural communities. 

One notable observation is that crop production is seasonal and primarily depends on the annual rainfall for farmers to grow staple grains for both the market and their own use. 

However, suppose one pays attention to the yield that is obtained by farmers in communal areas of Zambezi, Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Omusati regions. 

In that case, it becomes clear that some key production aspects are lacking, which results in below-average yields.

To address the important issue of low average yields, farmers need to take a few essential steps to correct basic aspects that are often overlooked when starting in crop production. The first step is to determine the exact size of their production area. 

Knowing the size is important to help farmers plan for land preparation, which usually includes clearing the site, testing the soil, applying fertiliser, and sometimes fencing off the production area. 

Moreover, farmers should cost each activity that will be carried out in this phase of production. Once the size of the production site is determined, farmers must understand the importance of adhering to the recommended spacing for each crop.

To emphasize the importance of recommended spacing, let’s consider the following scenario. A farmer plans to grow a variety of maize that has specific spacing recommendations: 75 cm between rows and 30 cm within rows. 

Using these specifications, the farmer can calculate the maize plant population for a 1 hectare (10 000 m²) plot. About 44,444 plants can be grown in this area. If the average yield is 0.2 kg per plant, the farmer can anticipate a total harvest of approximately 8 888.8 kg.

Furthermore, farmers must understand that applying fertilisers during the crop’s growth period is crucial, and soil test results should inform this decision. 

If a farmer intends to grow maize, it is essential to note that during the early growth stages, there is a vital need for nitrogen application to accelerate the vegetative growth of the crop’s foliage parts, as well as Phosphorus to initiate root development and growth. 

If the maize crop grows over 120 days period, it is vital for split application of fertiliser to ensure that sufficient quantities are allocated to each crop. Moreover, during the flowering phase, it is essential to incorporate Potassium into the soil to promote flower and fruit formation.

The planting depth of seeds is another crucial factor that affects crop production. If farmers overlook this simple yet critical production aspect, it could lead to delayed emergence (when a shoot comes out of the soil). In turn, this will delay the targeted maturity dates for each crop. 

Furthermore, if a farmer grows the crop under rainfed conditions, it may lead to low yields, as rainy seasons tend to be short (90 to 110 days). Finally, the most essential step involves scouting the crop field daily to detect pest and disease outbreaks early. 

This will enable farmers to correct the situation promptly by using selective pesticides and agrochemicals, which will minimise the risk of crop failure and typically lead to lower yields.

Ultimately, to achieve success in crop farming, farmers should take the necessary steps listed above to increase average crop yields, thereby sustaining profitable crop enterprises and contributing to the goal of attaining local food security.

*Hanks Saisai is Agribank’s technical advisor for crops and poultry.