By William J. Mbangula
OGONGO
Experimentation with rice growing at Ogongo College of Agriculture (OCA) has made significant progress. The exercise may result in small-scale local rice production, Senior lecturer and Head of Crop Science, Dr Luke Kanyomeka, said recently.
Kanyomeka who is attached to the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the University of Namibia (Unam) is the driving force behind rice production for commercial purposes. He is a native Zambia and arrived in Namibia in 2001.
“Before I came here, I was told that Namibia was a desert country but when I was driving from Ondangwa to Ogongo, I saw a lot of Oshanas (plains) full of water. As a crop-scientist, I started pondering as to how such water could be utilised for the benefit of the local population.”
“Other than just using the water for animal consumption and other purposes, immediately rice production came to my mind as the potential crop which can be produced from the abundant water”.
Kanyomeka noted the first step he took was to seek relevant information from the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast where he was provided with about 12 varieties.
He also contacted the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Manila, Phillipines where he got some additional assistance.
The varieties, which he got from West Africa and Asia, were then combined to form what is called New Rice for Africa (Nerica), which is very strong for the local environmental conditions. Kanyomeka explained that his efforts to produce rice subsequently passed on knowledge to the local community with regard to rice production.
This has now won support from the Namibian Government and some foreign institutions. Currently, the Research Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) and the University of Nagoja in Japan are involved in training Namibians in rice production.
Two Namibians are studying rice production at Masters level in Japan. One of the trainees will complete his studies next year while the other has two more years to go.
The Government of Japan and the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) jointly sponsors the studies.
Still on training, two other Namibians have just completed seven months training in Japan and are now spearheading the training of the local farmers in rice production.
Kanyomeka told New Era that the purpose of initiating the project is to smoothly impart knowledge and technical know-how to the local population so that once his contract expires, he leaves behind a wealth of knowledge.
This is in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 which calls for diversification of crop production in order to ensure food self-sufficiency.
Recently, farmers from Oshikuku, Okalongo, Okahao and Ogongo in Omusati region were called together at OCA as part of the efforts to consolidate their participation in rice production.
Most of them were part of a group, which planted about 98 varieties last January.
Presently, the rice is being tested in the Oshanas and plains of the Zambezi River in the Caprivi Region to select the best seeds. With the technical support from MAWF and OCA, farmers will soon establish a common body to be known as Namibia Rice Growers Association (NRGA).
According to Kanyomeka, some potential sponsors have expressed interest in the establishment of such a body because they want to channel financial assistance. Such an association, noted Kanyomeka, will not only be used to receive funds and other development assistance but will also serve as a platform for farmers to disseminate and share technical information related to their farming activities.
Beginning next year, all participating farmers are expected to start with full-scale production of rice in their respective areas under the technical supervision of the extension officers and lecturers from the MAWF and OCA respectively.
At a gathering of farmers on 2 April, it emerged that a female farmer from Oshiteyatemo in the Okalongo constituency was one step ahead of others having been involved in rice production since 1999.
Rauna Kleopas, 57, was introduced as one of the successful farmers who have planted rice at her village with the assistance of the extension officer from Outapi, Kaunapawa Shapenga. Said Kleopas: “I was one of the people who were trained here on how to plant rice last January. I have learned a lot from the assistance given to us by Government officials. Although I have been planting rice in the past, the experience here has given me new technical skills to continue farming with rice in a more advanced manner.”
Kleopas said she learned one could produce more rice on the same piece of land than the traditional staple food mahangu or millet.
She encourages others to embark on crop diversification to ensure economic survival.