Citation:

Dr. Esther Mariana Muradzikwa, Dr. David Nkengbeza, Dr. Erdwin Muradzikwa "An Assessment of Maize Production Status, Challenges and Opportunities in the Zambezi Region of Namibia During the Period 2011 to 2020" International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 172-182, 2023.

Abstract:

This project presents a study on the constraints and opportunities of maize production in the Zambezi Region of Namibia. The study aimed to provide information that would set the basis for assessing and improving maize production methods used by communal farmers in the Region and eventually the impact of the project on the livelihoods of the target population. Its objective was to flag the potential of optimum production on a small piece of land using minimal agricultural inputs. A demonstration plot was established. Twentyeight basins 60cm apart were dug in rows 52 rows 16 meters long. This setup was done within an area of 39 by 16 meters, that is, 624m2. About 20g of basal organic fertilizer (cow dung) was placed with two maize seeds in each basin before covering them with a 2 to 5 cm layer of the dug-out soil. Drip irrigation was procured to water plants and mitigate the excessive heat. Weeding was done as necessary with top dressing fertilizer type 5:3:4 (N: P: K) applied five weeks post-germination and at the tasselling stage. Green maize was harvested three months after planting, whilst the rest of the maize left to get to the dry form was harvested a month later. The results revealed that one per cent (1%) of the maize cobs were diseased. Two thousand four hundred maize cobs were harvested, with a mean length of 17.9cm and 14 seed rows per cob. Averages of 136 seeds per cob, two grams per seed, and 272 grams cob weight were recorded. The extrapolated result of the demonstration plot was yielded 11 tons of maize per hectare.

References:

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Keywords:

Production status, Assessment of maize, challenges and opportunities, Zambezi Region.