Organic farming in Namibia
The transition from a simple garden to organic production – the switch to organic farming in Namibia at steps for children has begun. A place for learning and exchanging practical experience for steps for children and the surrounding community. We take you to the garden in Ongombombonde.
Holistic Management International (HMI) has been working since 1984 with government agencies, NGOs and companies together with family farmers, livestock keepers, tribal members and pastoralists to support their communities so they can grow and thrive.
The certified HMI expert and freelance consultant Wiebke Volkmann visited the steps facilities in Okakarara and the steps vegetable garden in Ongonmbondonde. She supported the local team (Cecilia, Philip and Gody) in introducing and further developing regenerative agricultural practices.
What is the goal of the switch to organic farming?
To strengthen the operation, produce healthier food, improve the habitats of local wildlife and protect the environment.
Experiences with the local population and local conditions
At the start of the conversion, a workshop was held to introduce the principles of organic farming. In addition to the steps team, farmers from the surrounding area also took part in the workshop.
The garden team in Okakarara showed interest in organic production and further steps were planned together.
These included training in multiple cropping to make dryland farming (rain-fed only) more sustainable and productive, as well as in different soil preparation techniques and enrichment with kraal manure and biochar. The fields were marked out and supplied with seed and biochar (donated by the GIZ).
Organic farming in Namibia – water and land adaptation
After initial setbacks caused by delayed rain and pests, the cultivation area was first reduced, concentrating the available water supply in order to improve production here and switch to organic methods, before the cultivation area can later be expanded again as experience grows.
In the field during garden cultivation – workshop
Processing and marketing – new opportunities are being explored
The considerable amount of ripe tomatoes could no longer all be sold fresh in December 2021, and the soup kitchen no longer needed any tomatoes during the holidays. So Wiebke showed the steps team how they can dry the tomatoes.
This first small experiment with dried production surplus is being incorporated into a holistic plan for market gardening.
This is intended to market and produce healthy, high-quality food for own consumption with as low input costs as possible (including storage, cooling and transport).
Entrepreneurship
This includes holistic (triple-bottom-line) financial planning, which aims at simultaneous social, biological/physical, and financial accumulation of assets.
It is important to note that converting the production system will take time – how much can only be estimated to a limited extent, since there is not enough experience in Namibia with soil as sandy as that in Ongombombonde.
Soil improvement is the cornerstone and requires an initial investment from outside. For this, wood chips and manure are being used for mulching the beds and for compost production.
Local production and increased consumption of healthy vegetables
In parallel with cultivation, we plan to promote the preparation and consumption of vegetables and plant products in Okakarara through various training sessions and fun events with children, young people, parents, and farmers from the surrounding area. Omgombombonde is intended to serve as a place of learning and exchange of practical experience for the surrounding community.
Here for >> Young vegetables donate.
