CROP farmers, especially maize producers, should alternate their crops with peanuts to save on fertiliser, Dawie Kok of the Groundnut Association of Namibia says.
Updating the Agricultural Union of Namibia on the expected peanut yield early this month, Kok said: “Peanuts grow very well with maize fertiliser, so the previous year’s maize fertiliser can be used for the new year’s peanut production.”
In terms of the 2021 crop season, groundnuts are looking good – especially for farmers in the east of the country.
The country’s 15 top producers have used approximately 1 000 hectares under peanuts since November 2020.
Kok said the crops have already received good rains, and with more rain likely to fall in March and April, “we expect an above-average harvest this year”.
If producers harvest a tonne per ha, it is considered a fairly good or moderate harvest; one-and-a-half tonnes is good, and with favourable conditions, even two tonnes of peanuts can be obtained from one hectare.
So far, most crops have been free of pests, although some areas are showing signs of leaf spot after the rains.
The groundnuts remain in the soil for 140 to 150 days, and this year producers will start harvesting from mid-April to early May.
Namibia exports most of its peanuts to a factory in Schweizer-Reneke, South Africa.
Email: erastus@namibian.com.na
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