Local farmer achieves 25-ton potato harvest

Tuakondja Shikongo, owner of the Omushiyo potato project in Namibia’s Ohangwena Region, is currently harvesting his potato crop, with an expected yield of about 25 tons from a one-hectare plot.

Shikongo, a solar installation engineer, has ventured into agriculture to supplement his income.

In an interview with Network Media Hub (NMH), he said that although he earns an income from installing solar panels, he was seeking additional revenue streams. In 2025, he paused his business activities to conduct research and acquire skills aimed at improving commercial potato production.

“I already had land, but the challenges I faced included securing funding for initial preparations such as soil cultivation, purchasing tubers and drilling a borehole. I applied for a N$500 000 loan from Agribank, which provided about N$350 000. This amount significantly assisted in starting my potato cultivation,” he said.

In January this year, he sourced more than 100 bags of 25kg potato tubers, valued at N$50 000, from Avagro. These were planted on 17 February and are now being harvested.

When asked why he chose potato farming, Shikongo said there is a great demand for potatoes in the region, with consistent orders from schools, street vendors and Nawa Mini Market.

He noted that half of his one-hectare plot has already been harvested, with the remainder nearing completion.

Shikongo said he plans to expand production to at least two hectares and encouraged others to consider farming as a viable business opportunity.

Time-consuming process

Despite the promising harvest, Shikongo said he faces several challenges, particularly a lack of equipment, including a harvesting machine, which forces him to rely on hired tractors.

“Last year, ploughing one hectare cost me N$2 500, which is quite expensive, and government tractors often lack available drivers,” he said.

He added that harvesting is currently done manually using hand tools, a process that is time-consuming and can damage produce. He said access to proper equipment would significantly improve efficiency.

He also highlighted the need for cold storage facilities to preserve potatoes year-round and reduce post-harvest losses.

For aspiring farmers, Shikongo advised conducting thorough research into cultivation methods, testing soil quality and maintaining effective water management. He said the Namibian Agronomic Board is available to provide guidance.

He emphasised the importance of increasing local production to meet demand and reduce reliance on potato imports from South Africa. He said improving soil testing and farming practices could help boost domestic output.

Following this harvest, Shikongo plans to switch to beetroot cultivation, noting that potatoes perform poorly when grown repeatedly on the same land. He intends to rotate crops and return to potato farming on new land in February next year, using rainwater to supplement borehole supplies.

According to monthly import and export notifications from the Namibian Agronomic Board, potatoes remain open to imports throughout the year, with no seasonal import ban, suggesting that local production still does not fully meet national demand.