Farmers’ production practices and perceptions of problems as a guide for research on rainfed food crops in northern Namibia

Information on the crop production system in northern Namibia is scarce, and this makes research planning difficult. The results from a system study conducted in 1993, with the aim of generating information that may help to define the research agenda, are presented in this article. In the study, the dominance of pearl millet (mahangu) was quantified: average areas sown to pearl millet, sorghum and maize by individual farmers were found to be 3,5, 0,16 and 0,001 hectares respectively. Farmers identified drought as the major constraint to crop production, followed by a lack of draught power and a lack of improved seed. The most desired trait in cultivars of pearl millet was earliness, followed by grain yield. Intercropping with cowpeas and the use of manure were found to be common, whereas planned crop sequencing and the use of fertiliser were rare. The results of this study suggest that research and extension should focus on pearl millet. The technologies that should be encouraged are those which minimise the effects of drought, maximise the impact of available draught power and reinforce farmers’ existing strategies.

Notes

Agriculture Extension Specialist, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Oshakati, Namibia. The author is grateful to Dr Allan Low and Dr IK Mariga for their constructive comments on the draft and to all the extension staff who helped with data collection.