Unam student juggles academics and rice farming

Frans Amutenya, a bachelor of science student specialising in crop production, has turned his studies into practice by successfully cultivating rice on a small rented plot and is preparing for his first harvest.

He told Ewi lyaNooli he planted rice in November 2025 on a 0.5-hectare field he rents for N$1 000 a month.

Amutenya is studying at the University of Namibia’s Ogongo campus in the Omusati region, where his academic work focuses on agronomy, irrigation scheduling and crop management.

The training inspired him to put classroom learning into practice by cultivating rice on the rented plot.

“In November 2025, I achieved an excellent germination rate and successfully cultivated 0.5 hectares of rice," Amutenya said.

He said his upcoming harvest looks equally promising and that he expects to “supply my produce to formal markets” by next month.

Due to a lack of harvesting and processing machinery, Amutenya intends to harvest manually, a method he acknowledged will take more time.

He plans to transport the harvested rice to Ogongo campus for processing and packaging.

Although new to rice farming, Amutenya aspires to acquire his own machinery in the future to make farming easier.

Real-world application

Pleased with his success so far, he nevertheless faces several challenges, including inadequate fencing, which allows animals to enter his fields and feed on his crops.

On the suitability of rice cultivation in the area, Amutenya pointed to the proximity of a canal and favourable waterlogging conditions during the rainy season, which support the crop's growth.

He said he benefited from training at Ogongo campus, where he also received rice seeds to support his endeavour.

He said rice generally requires minimal maintenance when water supply is sufficient. The main challenge is the six-month maturation period, although faster-growing varieties present other challenges, such as water management.

On pest control, he said rice crops typically face fewer pest problems but advised farmers to carry out regular inspections and address any issues promptly.

As a student involved in both research and practical training, Amutenya said he found it straightforward to apply his academic knowledge to real-world farming scenarios.

To balance farming and academic responsibilities, Amutenya employed a permanent worker to manage the farm during his classes and other commitments.

Amutenya has urged fellow young Namibians to step beyond their comfort zones and view agriculture not merely as a fallback option but as a field ripe for innovation, combining classroom learning with hands-on experimentation. He also encouraged students with similar practical training to utilise their skills.

"Starting small and listening to the land is essential," Amutenya said.

"If a plot is waterlogged, it should not be considered a failure. Instead, research should focus on crops adapted to such conditions. Namibia imports the majority of its rice; thus, local cultivation reduces dependency and enhances regional food security," he emphasised.

Perfect setting for rice

Marcellus Kanyetu, a student from Developing Aid from People to People (DAPP) VTC, participated in a recent harvesting and information day held at Amutenya’s plot.

He said students had gained valuable knowledge about flood-prone areas, which remain underutilised.

"As students educated in agriculture, we are ready to expand rice cultivation within the region and across the country," he stated.

Dr Petrus Ausiku, senior lecturer and soil science researcher at Ogongo campus, reaffirmed the campus’s readiness to support aspiring rice farmers through training programmes and seeds.

He said the campus hosts an annual rice harvesting day, which he encourages farmers to attend to gain knowledge and experience.

Last year, the campus harvested approximately 20 tonnes of rice, representing an increase of 15 tonnes compared to 2024.

There has been a notable expansion in rice yields, with cultivated areas increasing from 4.1 hectares in 2024 to 6.7 hectares in 2025, he added.

Unam vice-chancellor Kenneth Matengu said over 4 000 farmers have received training through rice cultivation initiatives, with 1 000 actively engaged in rice production. In 2025 alone, 20 new farmers received training at the campus.