The country’s Green Scheme projects are anticipated to achieve gains in agricultural output this season, with maize production expected to increase by 24% to reach 13,100 metric tonnes (MT) from last season’s yield of 10,600MT.
The projection, based on recent data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) country report by the Food and Agricultural Organisation, underscores the projects’ role in enhancing food security through improved crop yields.
Additionally, wheat production within the Green Scheme projects is estimated to rise to 3,100MT this season, a 63% increase compared to the 1,900MT harvested last season.
Despite these optimistic projections within the Green Scheme projects, Namibia faces substantial agricultural hurdles.
According to the IPC report, the country anticipates a 53% reduction in overall crop production due to erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells caused by El Niño earlier in the year.
“Namibia is dependent on rain-fed agriculture and the impact on El Niño has already shown that production has declined and will therefore not provide any tangible opportunities for agricultural labour even for the coming season hence agricultural production is projected to be negatively affected,” said the report.
These adverse weather conditions have particularly affected communal farming regions, resulting in widespread crop stress and reduced yields.
“This resulted in crop stress and mass wilting of crops during the critical stages of germination, flowering and grain formation,” the report reads.
Furthermore, IPC noted that Namibia is experiencing severe water shortages with dam levels averaging just 55.0% of total capacity, down from 69.7% last year.
“The water quality is poor due to the catchment running dry. In communal areas, damaged boreholes and vandalised or stolen pumps in the northern areas will further complicate the situation,” said the IPC. The report notes that this could be an indicator of other underlying causes.
