Ogongo
Governor of Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala, says the impact of rice production in society will be huge should farmers commit themselves to the integration of rice cultivation in the traditional cropping system.
Endjala expressed these sentiments during the rice harvest festival at Unam’s Ogongo Campus in Omusati Region last Friday afternoon.
The governor urged farmers to seize the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques for future improvement of farm production.
“It is also good to note that rice is not only used as food, but its by-products can also be used as livestock feed,” he said.
Rice straw, bran and husks can all be fed to domestic animals, for example cattle, goats, pigs and chickens.
“So a farmer can sell both rice and animals, and earn an income that can be used to address other household needs,” he emphasised.
He further alluded to agriculture as a source of food which supplies the body with energy, proteins, minerals and vitamins that make people healthy and strong so that people are able to work.
Endjala said like other science fields, agriculture plays a very important role in the development and economic growth of any country.
“I am therefore encouraging all of you, learners, to pursue studies in agricultural science, after completing Grade 12, so that you can contribute to this food security goal,” the governor said.
At the same event Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development Kenneth Matengu said the joint team of the Namibia-Japan rice and mahangu project has been busy collecting agronomic and socio-economic data on the mixed cropping system of rice and mahangu among farmers in Omusati.
Matengu said the exercise targets to cover about 120 farmers who attempted to grow these crops during the last rainy season.
The findings of the research will be used to explain the effects of current drought on the community’s livelihoods and propose alternative solutions.
Matengu said the rice-mahangu project at Ogongo has developed a hybrid food product of rice and mahangu called oluthima.
Oluthima, which is a mixture of rice and mahangu flour, has addressed the cultural belief that rice does not provide enough energy as does pearl millet.