Potato Farm Training for Small-Scale Farmers as Country Battles Imports

 

By: Loise Shiimi

 

With Namibia importing 65% of its potatoes from South Africa, valued at N$538 million annually, the Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB), in collaboration with the National Association of Horticulture Producers (NAHOP), is conducting free training sessions for small-scale farmers.

These training sessions have already covered various towns across Namibia, including Gobabis, Windhoek, Rehoboth, Keetmanshoop, Mariental, Okahandja, Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Tsumeb, Katima Mulilo, Rundu, Nkurenkuru, Okongo, Oshakati, and Ondangwa.

Emily Abraham, Manager of Horticulture Market Development at NAB, emphasised that the training focuses primarily on potato cultivation. Topics covered include potato seed (tuber) supply and management, land/soil preparation and planting methods, fertilisation, pest control, irrigation techniques, and marketing strategies.