As Namibia enters the winter season, farmers across the country are preparing for the cultivation of vital cool weather crops.
Winter presents prime conditions for growing onions, cabbage, lettuce, beetroot and carrots – crops that thrive in the moderate daytime temperatures of 15-22°C that characterise our cooler months.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can play a role in optimising these winter farming activities, from precisely calculating water requirements to monitoring soil conditions and predicting harvest timing.
AI-powered analytics can help farmers make data-driven decisions about planting depths, spacing, and fertiliser application specific to winter vegetables, ensuring optimal yields despite our challenging climate.
OUR ARID CLIMATE
Namibia’s agricultural landscape faces substantial challenges because of our arid climate, with only a small percentage of land receiving sufficient rainfall for conventional farming.
AI technologies designed specifically for water-scarce environments are revolutionising farming practices across our varied landscapes.
For livestock farming, AI-powered monitoring systems can track cattle health and movement patterns, enabling earlier detection of diseases like foot-and-mouth and lumpy skin disease.
These systems allow for more effective grazing management and can significantly reduce livestock losses – critical for the sustainability of Namibian agriculture.
Smart irrigation technology demonstrates AI’s transformative potential, providing precise guidance on when and how much to water crops.
This results in reduced water usage while increasing harvest yields – a crucial advantage in our water-scarce environment.
Farms implementing machine learning algorithms that analyse soil moisture, weather forecasts and crop needs have reduced water usage by up to 40% compared to traditional methods.
EMPOWERING OUR WOMEN AND YOUTH
Women farmers form a crucial component of Namibia’s agricultural sector and stand to benefit substantially from AI technologies.
The new government administration has emphasised the importance of women’s empowerment in agriculture, recognising that supporting women farmers is essential for household food security and community development.
AI tools that reduce physical labour while increasing productivity can help address the multiple responsibilities women typically juggle between farming, household management and family care.
Training programmes specifically designed for women farmers are critical to successful technology adoption, focusing on practical applications that directly solve daily farming challenges.
One of the most encouraging prospects is the renewed interest in agriculture that AI technologies can spark among Namibian youth, traditionally drawn to urban employment opportunities.
Youth unemployment remains one of our country’s most pressing challenges, with nearly half of young people struggling to find work.
The appeal of agricultural technology lies in the integration of digital skills – developing mobile applications, maintaining sensor networks and analysing data brings technology expertise into traditional farming contexts.
This aligns perfectly with the current administration’s focus on youth employment and skills development, creating pathways for tech-savvy youth to engage with modern agriculture.
CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS
Despite the promising outlook, bringing AI to Namibian farms isn’t without obstacles.
Limited internet connectivity, inconsistent power supply and high initial costs present significant barriers to widespread adoption.
Government initiatives that foster public-private partnerships are essential to addressing these challenges, including the development of regional AI hubs and solar-powered systems capable of functioning in remote areas.
The economic benefits of AI adoption are already becoming evident.
Farms using precision agriculture techniques report yield increases of 15-25% while simultaneously reducing input costs.
Smart farming optimises resource utilisation, enabling farmers to precisely target water, fertilisers, and pesticides – an approach that saves money while protecting the environment.
THE PATH FORWARD
As Namibia continues its agricultural transformation, ensuring equitable access to technology remains crucial.
Government subsidies for smallholder farmers to acquire AI tools, community-based training programmes and partnerships with mobile network providers are essential to bridge the digital divide.
What’s occurring is not just technological change but a social transformation in rural Namibia.
The key will be ensuring that all farmers – particularly women and youth, who represent the focus of the new administration – can participate in and benefit from this revolution.
With thoughtful implementation and inclusive approaches, AI presents a promising path forward for Namibian agriculture – one where traditional farming wisdom combines with cutting-edge technology to create a resilient and productive agricultural sector for generations to come.
- – Charles Mambadzo is the chief operations officer, AI enabler and project manager at Eden Greenfields. Views and opinions expressed in this article are his own. Email: charles@edengreenfields.com
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
