Charles Tjatindi
The aggregated national cereal production (maize, millet, sorghum and wheat) is estimated at 175 900 metric tonnes (MT), which is a slight increase of 5% above last season’s harvest of 168 200 MT, and 39% higher than the average production of 126 700MT.
This is according to the latest preliminary Crop and Household Food Security Monitoring Assessment by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
This is largely attributed to poor rainfall experienced in the country, which had unprecedented rainfall patterns.
Firstly, the onset of the rainfall season was delayed, as productive rainfall was received only end of December to early January, which has consequently delayed the ploughing activities and affected crop germinations in the major crop-growing regions.
The poor rainfall performance was seen in the form of erratic rainfall patterns, with frequent prolonged dry spells, accompanied by high temperatures.
Subsequently, agricultural production and pasture establishment were severely affected in most parts of the country.
The report states that preliminary crop estimates indicated a slight increase in the forecasted harvest above last season’s harvest.
Although all the major crop-growing regions, apart from Zambezi, expected below last year’s harvest, much of this improvement that led to the 5% increase comes from the commercial area, according to the report.
Household food security has, however, generally weakened in most parts of the country, following a reduction in the agricultural production recorded in the 2021/2022 season due to dry spells and early cessation of rainfall.
“Given the current situation where the production is forecasted to reduce in most regions, many households are likely to face food insecurity, because crops have wilted with no hope of recovery,” the report notes.
Under normal circumstances, the food security situation improves from March when most seasonal produce, such as squashes, melons and legumes become available and ready for consumption. However, the availability of such produce is limited this season due to erratic and sporadic rainfall.
Grazing and livestock body condition range between poor and good, where poor to fair conditions are reported in the north-central regions (Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto), Kunene and some parts of Erongo region.
Elsewhere in the country, grazing and livestock conditions are between fair and good.
According to the report, no livestock diseases of economic importance were reported during the assessment period in all the regions, apart from water and poor grazing-related conditions, such as tick infestation, internal parasites, abortion and plant poisoning.
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