Maize and wheat harvests make history
Maize recorded a 9% production increase
Both maize and wheat recorded an increase in production in commercial areas compared to last season and average production rates.
Namibia's wheat and white maize harvests have made history this cropping season, being described as the largest since the country began producing these crops.
However, the country’s total cereal production recorded a 9% decline for the 2022–2023 cropping season compared to the previous season’s harvest.
This is, however, 23% above the 10-year average production.
Commercial bounty
Crop estimates indicate that the country recorded 153 000 tonnes, which is lower than the 168 200 tonnes produced in 2021–2022, but above the 10 years average production rate of 124 200 tonnes.
This is according to the Crop Prospects, Food Security and Drought Situation report for July, released by the agriculture ministry.
"Much of the cereal production came from the commercial area, including the green schemes, with a contribution of 80%, while the communal areas only contributed 20% to the national cereal production for the 2022/2023 season."
According to the report, both maize and wheat recorded an increase in production in commercial areas compared to last season and average production rates.
Biggest maize harvest
In particular, maize recorded a production of 98 800 tonnes, which is 9% more than last season's production of 90 900 tonnes and 65% higher than the 10-year average production of 59 900 tonnes.
"Out of the 98 800 tonnes of maize produced, 45 649 tonnes (46%) came from rain-fed production, while 53 175 tonnes (54%) are from irrigated production," the report states.
According to the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB), this is the biggest tonnage of harvested white maize ever recorded in the history of maize production in Namibia, which is attributed to the increase in the planted area by the commercial farmers.
Wheat harvest
On the other hand, wheat production stood at 24 700 tonne during the 2022–2023 season, reflecting an increase of 34% higher than last season's production of 18 500 tonnes and above the 10-year average production of 10 800 tonne by a magnificent 130%.
"Similar to the maize production in the commercial area, this is the biggest tonnage of wheat harvested ever recorded in the history of wheat production in Namibia," NAB stated.
The report added that maize production in the communal area (Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West regions) recorded 6 800 tonne, which is 15% below last season’s production of 8 000 tonne but 29% more than the 10-year average production of 5 300 tonne.
Declines recorded
Furthermore, pearl millet recorded 20 500 tonne this season, which is 54% lower than last season’s production of 44 700 tonne and 54% below the 10-year average production of 44 500 tonne.
Sorghum production, on the other hand, recorded a 2 200 tonne production, a significant reduction of 64% below last season’s production of 6 100 tonne and also 41% lower than the 10-year average production of 3 800 tonne.
"This decrease in production is highly attributed to the drought conditions and the prolonged dry spells experienced during the course of the 2022–2023 season," the report said.
However, the country’s total cereal production recorded a 9% decline for the 2022–2023 cropping season compared to the previous season’s harvest.
This is, however, 23% above the 10-year average production.
Commercial bounty
Crop estimates indicate that the country recorded 153 000 tonnes, which is lower than the 168 200 tonnes produced in 2021–2022, but above the 10 years average production rate of 124 200 tonnes.
This is according to the Crop Prospects, Food Security and Drought Situation report for July, released by the agriculture ministry.
"Much of the cereal production came from the commercial area, including the green schemes, with a contribution of 80%, while the communal areas only contributed 20% to the national cereal production for the 2022/2023 season."
According to the report, both maize and wheat recorded an increase in production in commercial areas compared to last season and average production rates.
Biggest maize harvest
In particular, maize recorded a production of 98 800 tonnes, which is 9% more than last season's production of 90 900 tonnes and 65% higher than the 10-year average production of 59 900 tonnes.
"Out of the 98 800 tonnes of maize produced, 45 649 tonnes (46%) came from rain-fed production, while 53 175 tonnes (54%) are from irrigated production," the report states.
According to the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB), this is the biggest tonnage of harvested white maize ever recorded in the history of maize production in Namibia, which is attributed to the increase in the planted area by the commercial farmers.
Wheat harvest
On the other hand, wheat production stood at 24 700 tonne during the 2022–2023 season, reflecting an increase of 34% higher than last season's production of 18 500 tonnes and above the 10-year average production of 10 800 tonne by a magnificent 130%.
"Similar to the maize production in the commercial area, this is the biggest tonnage of wheat harvested ever recorded in the history of wheat production in Namibia," NAB stated.
The report added that maize production in the communal area (Zambezi, Kavango East and Kavango West regions) recorded 6 800 tonne, which is 15% below last season’s production of 8 000 tonne but 29% more than the 10-year average production of 5 300 tonne.
Declines recorded
Furthermore, pearl millet recorded 20 500 tonne this season, which is 54% lower than last season’s production of 44 700 tonne and 54% below the 10-year average production of 44 500 tonne.
Sorghum production, on the other hand, recorded a 2 200 tonne production, a significant reduction of 64% below last season’s production of 6 100 tonne and also 41% lower than the 10-year average production of 3 800 tonne.
"This decrease in production is highly attributed to the drought conditions and the prolonged dry spells experienced during the course of the 2022–2023 season," the report said.
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