Niël Terblanché
A two-day training session hosted in Windhoek earlier this week has equipped Namibian agricultural technicians with practical skills in soil sampling, a critical element in sustainable farming and land use.
The program, organised under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), aims to enhance the country’s approach to improving food security by combining international expertise with local knowledge.
The session also aimed to improve food security by combining international expertise with local knowledge.
It forms part of the second phase of the China–FAO–Namibia South-South Cooperation project to boost Namibia’s agricultural productivity.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform (MAFWLR) jointly organised the training.
The theme was “Empowering Staff with Soil Sampling Skills for Namibian Soil Lab”, and the goal was to build technical skills that improve the accuracy and reliability of soil analysis across Namibia’s farming areas.
Chinese soil laboratory expert Zongyao Yu and Senior Agricultural Scientific Officer Ella Shiningayamwe from MAFWLR led the training.
They focused on practical challenges and techniques in soil sampling.
“As an agricultural technician, I’ve learnt that 60–80% of errors in soil analysis come from sampling itself. Accurate, standardised sampling is the cornerstone of precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices,” Yu said.
The first day covered theory through multimedia presentations and group discussions. Participants learnt Chinese protocols and best practices, including the best sampling times, site selections, correct depths, and labelling methods.
These are important for producing consistent lab results that guide fertilisation, irrigation, and land management decisions.
On the second day, practical demonstrations took place at Yuanjue School.
Trainees practised grid-, random-, and Z-shaped sampling methods in orchards, greenhouses, and seedbeds.
The exercises helped them adjust their skills to different field conditions and crops.
Visiting experts Jiango Zhao and Jinlian Lu from Yuanjue School and Angola introduced modern Chinese agricultural techniques.
They showed drip irrigation using recycled plastic film, organic composting, greenhouse shading, and crop propagation methods for sweet potatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Werner Gawanab from MAFWLR’s Analytical Services and Product Development division said,
“The training was practical and eye-opening. I especially appreciated the sessions on greenhouse technologies and composting,” Gawanb said.
The workshop included 12 staff members from the Directorate of Agricultural Research and Development (DARD).
Alberthad Elizabeth Sipapo of MAFWLR said: “This experience has built both our skills and our teamwork. I’m leaving with valuable knowledge that I can apply in my daily work.”
Participants discussed common questions, such as how many samples are needed per hectare and how to adjust sampling for different crops.
They agreed to stay in touch and continue using the techniques they learnt.
Yu said, “Training based on field practice is visible, tangible, and transformative. It is a model we hope to expand further.”
