Namibia’s crop sector is fundamental, as it ensures that food is readily available at the household, regional and national levels. 

It also creates much-needed employment opportunities, providing income for rural populations. 

One notable observation is that crop production is seasonal and largely relies on annual rainfall, enabling farmers to grow staple grains for both the market and their own consumption. 

However, if 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, it becomes evident that a few crucial production aspects are not up to par.

This, in turn, leads to below-average yields.

To address the pertinent issue of low average yields, farmers must take a few necessary steps to correct fundamental aspects that are usually overlooked when venturing into crop production. The first step is to know the exact size of their production area. 

Knowing the size is essential for guiding a farmer when planning land preparation, which typically entails clearing the site, soil testing, applying fertiliser, and, in some cases, fencing off the production area. 

Moreover, farmers should estimate the cost of each activity that will be carried out in this phase of production. 

Once the production site’s size is known, farmers need to understand the importance of following the recommended spacing for each crop.

To emphasise the importance of the recommended spacing, let us consider the following scenario: a farmer plans to grow a variety of maize that has specific spacing recommendations – 75 centimetres (cm) between rows and 30 cm within rows. 

Using these specifications, the farmer can calculate the plant population of maize that can be grown on a 1-hectare (Ha) (10 000 m2) plot.

 Approximately 44 444 plants can be planted in this area. 

If the average yield is 0.2 kilogrammes (kg) per plant, the farmer can expect a total harvest of about 8 888.8 kg.

Furthermore, farmers must know that it is important to apply fertilizers during the crop’s growth period, guided by soil test results. 

If a farmer intends to grow maize, it is important to note that, in the early growth stages, there is a vital need to apply Nitrogen to accelerate vegetative growth of the crop’s foliage 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, towards the flowering phase, it is important to incorporate potassium into the soil to ensure flower and fruit formation.

Seed planting depth is another crucial factor that affects crop production. 

If farmers overlook this critical yet straightforward 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 (90-110 days). Finally, the most important step is scouting the crop field daily to detect pest and disease outbreaks early. 

This will enable farmers to timely correct the situation by using selective pesticides and agrochemicals that will minimise the risk of crop failure, which usually leads 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