WINDHOEK, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Agatus Timo, a farmer at a far-flung village in the Oshana region, applied manure strategically next to portions he sows pearl millet seeds at his fenced-off field. This is contrary to the traditional practice whereby farmers would first randomly place manure on the field ahead of ploughing and later sow pearl millet seeds.

The method he is premiering is aimed to maintain soil fertility and feed the crops in the hope of improved yields for the rain-fed crops.

"With this new method, when it rains, the manure spreads advantageously to the crops upon germination," he said on Monday.

He is one of the many farmers in the north-central part of Namibia embracing unconventional approaches to mark the farming season after prolonged rainfall. The farming season would usually start in late November the previous year.

According to the latest flood bulletin by Hydrological Services in Namibia, rainfall performance during the first part of the rainy season was very poor over most parts of the country. The country's northeastern, southwestern, and north-central areas recently received above-average rainfall.

"With prolonged rainfall, as farmers, we are forced to devise new ways to improve yields. And nourishment of crops is the key to success," said the 80-year-old Timo.

Unpredictable climate patterns have also inspired 58-years-old Nacky Mateus, another farmer in the region, to employ the intercropping technique, which entails growing two or more crops in proximity.

"In addition to crop rotation, I also mix the crops, and I would sow legumes such as cowpea in the same plot where I plant pearl millet. In case one fails, another prospers," she said.

Intercropping is also necessary for pest control, according to the farmers.

Tate Asino, from the Oshikoto region, maximizes services provided by the Namibian government to improve agricultural input.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform runs the rain-fed crop production programs in ten crop-growing regions in the country by providing subsidies on ploughing, seeds and fertilizers among others.

Asino said he hoped that the new seed variants would complement the seeds he has been sowing for over five years and catapult his farming efforts to success.

"This year, I decided to get new seeds variants and fertilizers by government to supplement the traditional manure to counter climate change and improve yields," said Asino.

In the interim, farmers hope that good rainfall will aid their efforts for a bumper harvest later in the year.

"Complemented by our new approaches, with good rain, we pray for surplus so that we do not only sustain our households but also trade and generate an income," said Mateus.

Odillo Kgobetsi, the chief meteorological technician at the Namibia Meteorological Services, said that received rainfall in parts of Namibia after months of the prolonged dry spell had been welcomed by many farmers. Enditem

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