Crop farmers in the Kavango East region are anticipating bumper returns on their hard work, especially given the recent good rain showers witnessed countrywide, however, some are sceptical of what the future holds.  

The region’s farmers say inconsistent rainfall and prolonged dry spells have dampened hopes of a bumper harvest, with many crops struggling to germinate or grow as expected.

Anna-Marie Makena, a crop farmer from Vungu Vungu village, about 7km east of Rundu, said she is not confident that this season will yield good results.

“Although we received some rain at the beginning of December, I do not think it was enough. We are already in January and the crops we planted are still under the ground; they have not yet emerged. Normally, by this time of the year, we would already be eating some crops such as fresh maize,” said Makena.

Makena stated that the situation has worsened due to the prolonged dry spells of the past, which left the soil badly eroded. 

“Since the rain stopped in early December, we have not seen any rain at all. The soil is becoming drier every day, which makes it difficult for crops to grow. Even though we had some rain at the beginning of the season, I am not convinced that we will have a good harvest this year,” she said.

Echoing similar concerns is Pius Mukufa, a crop farmer from Kayengona village, located about a kilometre from Vungu Vungu. Mukufa too has lost faith in the recent rainfall.

“I doubt that people will have a good harvest this year based on what we have seen so far. Traditionally, by January we should already be harvesting fresh maize and beans. But at the moment, the crops are still far from being ready. The soil is becoming very dry, and this could kill the crops that have already been planted,” Mukufa said.

Meanwhile, Shipapo Phineas, a farmer from Kaisosi, said despite forecasts predicting good rains, the reality on the ground tells a different story.

“It might sound good when the radio announces that the rains will be sufficient, but according to what we are experiencing, the rain is already late. By this time last year, we had already prepared our land through ripping and furrowing. This year, we cannot do that because the soil is too compacted and eroded. We need good rain before we can rip and furrow, as crops will not grow on a hard plough pan,” Phineas said.

Phineas added that without sufficient rainfall in the coming weeks, farmers could face another difficult season. Feka Da Silva, from Shambyu village which is located east of Rundu in the Mashare constituency, sees good signs for more rain due to the flowing Kavango rivers. She is optimistic that they will have a good harvest.  “When you see the river full, just know that we have received enough rain and we are yet to get more. I am positive with the rain this year and what it has in store. We can also see how people are catching fish,” she said. 

-mkambukwe@nepc.com.na