Bountiful maize harvest expected for 2022

Indications are that farmers are expecting an exceptional yield of white maize this year.According to the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) more than 95 000 tonnes are expected to be harvested.The union says that between 70 and 80 percent of the expected harvest has already been delivered to millers.The union added that some of the early harvests reflected quality problems, with a good quantity of second-grade maize delivered this year, adding that South Africa experienced similar problems. However, the quality of later plantings was very good.“Harvest forecasts were rather shaky at the start of the rainy season, as the rains were late, contrary to the weather forecasts that indicated good rainfall early in the season.”StableThe NAU said to ensure a stable maize harvest, more and more maize is being produced under irrigation.During the 2021 production season, up to 50% of the total white maize crop came from irrigated fields.Namibia&#039;s annual maize requirement averages 200 000 tonnes."To be self-sufficient, however, the average annual production will have to increase even further. In the last few years, many new irrigation farmers have joined the maize production sector."It said that due to the favourable weather conditions, dry-land hectares have also increased during the last few years.The union further explained that mills are overstocked and, at times, lack sufficient storage space for the supply."This, in turn, requires logistics planning to coordinate grain loads and prevent the harvesting process from having to be stopped."PlanningThe NAU said that in Namibia, an average of 16 000 tonnes of white maize per month is milled.Currently, some farmers store their maize in temporary silos, but this can be a risk for producers as the maize can later develop quality problems."There is a high probability that the total maize harvest in Namibia will continue to rise while favourable climatic conditions continue. Plans will therefore have to be in place to provide logistics for increasing harvests, especially in good rainy seasons."NAU added that there is also a strong drive among certain producers to be allowed to plant genetically modified (GMO) maize."In this way, Namibian maize farmers can also gain access to the latest technology available. However, to plant GMOs in Namibia, producers must meet a variety of requirements."Local producers are currently entering the process and will hopefully obtain permission to use the latest technology in the near future, the NAU said.The union pointed out that, currently, world markets offer high prices."Namibia currently receives higher maize prices, which further encourages production."

Bountiful maize harvest expected for 2022

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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Bountiful maize harvest expected for 2022

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-02

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