Make fertilizer go the extra mile, says agri-specialist

As Namibian farmers prepare for the possible return of El Niño conditions following a brief respite from drought, agricultural specialists are urging producers to focus on soil preparation and smarter farming practices to reduce risk.

Speaking to Agrimonitor during NAMPO’s recent Harvest Day, a Kynoch agricultural specialist said farmers should begin preparing their fields early by conducting soil tests and managing nutrients more effectively.

“Farmers realise that drought conditions could return with El Niño, and that difficult times may lie ahead,” he said. “Start with your groundwork. Make sure you take soil samples because soil conditions can change dynamically, especially with crops that remove large amounts of nutrients from the soil.”

He said farmers who focus on efficiency rather than simply increasing input costs could still achieve good harvests under difficult conditions.

The secrete

“The secret is not to apply more and more fertiliser. The secret is to make what you apply more effective,” he said. “Even in difficult times like these, farmers can still achieve a good harvest with less fertiliser.”

The specialist also encouraged a more intentional approach to crop production, highlighting planting depth as a simple but important factor that can improve yields without increasing costs.

“Something as simple as correct planting depth costs nothing extra,” he explained. “Maize, for example, needs to be planted slightly deeper. To me, maize is like a 100-metre runner; if it stumbles at the start, it will not reach the finish line. Farmers must make sure crops start well to get the most value from their fertiliser.”

He further pointed to logistics and transport costs as major challenges for Namibian farmers, noting that much of the country’s fertiliser is imported from South Africa.

“A lot of the fertiliser comes from South Africa, which is far away,” he said. “With the current logistics challenges and diesel prices, transport becomes a significant factor.”

He added that higher transport costs ultimately increase fertiliser prices for Namibian farmers, prompting companies to explore more efficient products that reduce nutrient losses.