Chamwe Kaira
Agronomy producers expect a harvest of about 111 447 tonnes. Producers shared this outlook during a meeting of the Agronomy Producers’ Association, where they said crop conditions are strong following good rainfall across most regions.
About 23 390 hectares of maize were planted under dryland and irrigation. If conditions hold, output could exceed last season’s harvest.
Producers said rainfall was timely across most maize-growing areas and supported crop growth.
Some eastern regions received less rain, but overall conditions remain favourable.
They reported minor challenges such as weeds and limited pests. These are not expected to affect yields.
Groundnut production in the north is also performing well. Sunflower planting remains low due to market constraints, despite its role in crop rotation.
The association also introduced mobile scanning tools for leaf and soil analysis. The system helps farmers detect nutrient problems faster than traditional lab testing.
With higher output expected, the association warned that storage capacity may come under pressure. It called for coordination across the grain value chain.
The Namibia Agricultural Union said the livestock sector remains strong due to Namibia’s foot-and-mouth disease-free export status.
The union said this status places Namibia among a small group of exporters able to access premium beef markets.
According to the World Organisation for Animal Health, few countries maintain FMD-free zones without vaccination.
The NAU said many countries either vaccinate, lack recognised status or face outbreaks. This gives Namibia an advantage in global markets.
It said the status allows local beef to enter markets with strict animal health requirements and supports better prices.
The union said maintaining this status requires strict control measures across the sector.
It added that separating disease-risk areas from export zones remains important to protect market access.
The NAU said the country’s disease-free status is the result of long-term effort and remains key to the sector’s sustainability.
