http://www.fao.org/globalsoilpartnership This presentation was made during the African Soil Prtnership consulation workshop which took a place in Ghana, 20-22 May 2015. This presentation was made by Magdalena Hangula, and it presents the priorities and needs for SSM in Namibia. ©FAO: http://www.fao.org

1. Status, Priorities and Needs for
Sustainable Soil Management in
Namibia
Magdalena Hangula
21 May 2015
Coconut Grove Hotel, Ghana

2. Country overview
• Total land (Country Area) - 823 290 km2
 Agricultural Land 388 200 km2
 Population is 2.2 million
 Annual rainfall ranges 300 – 750mm
 Soils are
Sandy
Rocky
Desert
Flood plains areas

3. Background
• Poor soil fertility
• Low and Erratic rainfall
• Climate changes
- Drought
- Flood

4. Background
• About 65% of Population depends on
Agriculture (directly/indirectly)
• Agriculture contributes: 6.4% to GDP
• Livestock subsector contributes 72% to total
Agricultural output while the crop sub sector
contribute 15% and the remaining 13%
pertains to Forestry

5. Map of Namibia

6. STATUS OF SOIL IN NAMIBIA
• Soil degradation is a most important concern,
thus low productivity
• Nutrient depletion
• Low organic matter
• Unsuitable farming practice (mono cropping)

7. Challenges
• High cost of importing fertilizers
• Land degradation due to nutrient depletion
• Impact of Climate change and variability on
soils and land productivity
Flooding
Drought
Erratic rainfall

8. Challenges
• Sourcing of inputs fertilizers, seeds,
herbicides. (high costs of importing)
• No collaborative/partnership activities
• Technical capacity (high turn out)
• Out dated soil maps of Namibia
• Appropriate equipment, tools and
inputs not always locally available

9. Challenges
• Centralized laboratory not enough to
cater for National needs
• Use of organic fertilizer (manure) is a
problem in some regions
• Limited knowledge and experience of
the role of fertilizer for improved crop
production

10. Challenges
• Lack of qualified Soils Scientists
• Policy on best use of soil resources
• Strengthening support to soil research
programs
• Research and testing of appropriate
technology

11. PRIORITIES AND NEEDS
• Integrated Soil Fertility Management (organic and
inorganic fertilizer use efficiency)
• Conservation Agriculture
• Capacity building of research in soil fertility
management
• Decentralised laboratories/Soil testing mobile kit
• Updating and continuous monitoring soil fertility
maps (soil digital mapping)
• Strengthening the linkages between Research
extension and farmers

12. Thank you