Background
Mahangu, also known as pearl millet is one of the most common staple food crops in Namibia contributing largely to the overall food security of the country. About 95 percent of mahangu is locally produced and 5 percent is imported from India. The mahangu production for commercial purposes is concentrated mainly in the Zambezi, Kavango and Otjozondjupa region. Producers in the Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena, and Omusati region produce mahangu primarily at a subsistence level for household consumption and only market when there is excess supply. The marketing of mahangu for Namibia commences on the onset of quarter 1 annually and run until it is secured by the National Strategic Food Reserve and producers.
Analysis
The production of mahangu has been driven by demand over the years with a gradual increase in local production (See figure 1). The period between 2010/2011 and 2020/2021 saw local mahangu production at 14 796 tons which translate in 1345 tons per year. The season of 2020/2021 recorded the highest production of mahangu over the period under review on the back of good rains at the beginning of this year.
The Zambezi region account for 31 percent of the national total tonnage of mahangu produced, followed by the Oshikoto region with 24 percent and Otjozondjupa region accounts for the lowest production of mahangu of 1 percent (See figure 2). Mahangu is currently the least imported grain due to the fact that it is highly adaptable to low rainfall and the prevailing soil conditions in Namibia.
Figure 1: Mahangu (2010-2021)
Figure 2: Mahangu production tons per area (2020/2021)
Outlook
The outlook on the local production of mahangu for Namibia is positive due to the above-average rainfall reported in the country for the current harvesting season. There is definitely room for building the necessary efficiencies in order to export this Namibian product. There is currently no risk to the supply of mahangu as a consequence of the social unrest that South Africa experienced over the past weeks, as Namibia does not import the product from the neighboring country.
Recommendations
The relatively low production of mahangu in the past 10 years can be attributed to a number of facts which include supply constraints such as, lack of farming equipment, machinery, and financial resources. In order for Namibia to scale the current production level and have a comparative advantage for the export market there is a need for investment in research and development, training and acquiring knowledge in the use of new farming techniques. Additionally, it is also important that the financial services providers help farmers with the needed financial resources to boost production. This will enable farmers to be more competitive in the context of the new dawn around AFCFTA.