Page 8 - UNAM’s National Capstone Contributions

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Seed research spurs hope for

Namibia’s food security

UNAM - NAB seed project (2021 - 2024)

Introduction
This ambitious collaboration project between the University Through this ground breaking research, UNAM and NAB are
of Namibia and the Namibia Agronomic Board seeks to making strides to determine which of the seed varieties that
produce seeds that can contribute to the establishment of have been brought into the country suit our conditions. The
a certified seed sector in Namibia and reduce the reliance main goal is to increase farmers’ access to seeds of high
on seed imports. yielding and adapted varieties for food and income security.

About the project In summary:
The project has two phases. The first phase is Seed • PHASE I - Seed Research to identify high yielding
Research. Seeds of different varieties of white maize, varieties (Season 1 & 2).
pearl millet (Mahangu), wheat, potatoes and sesame • PHASE II - Seed multiplication in large scale area (field
are included in the experimentation. This involves planting production, processed, packed, certified, labelled
seeds of various new hybrids/varieties in different parts of and distributed in the market).
Namibia and then selecting the best varieties of these. In • Funding is more than 1 Million NAD per year for 5 years.
the first year of the research (2021), 60 varieties of maize
and 25 varieties of pearl millet were planted; subsequently,
50 varieties of wheat, 6 varieties of potatoes and 4 varieties Achievements and future plans
of Sesame were planted in 4 or more regions in Namibia. PHASE I - SEED RESEARCH SEASON 1
A second season of planting was repeated to observe (in 4 research stations - 2020/21)
possible differences between seasons. • 56 new white maize hybrids from CIMMTY (International
Maize and Wheat Improvement Center) + 4 local
The project seeks to collect data on the varieties and control tested in 4 sites.
choose the best for Namibia’s environment based on • 24 new Mahangu varieties from ICRISAT (International
genetics of the seed and environmental conditions. Crop Research for Semi-Arid Tropics) + 3 local varieties
Genetic properties for analysis are: plant height, disease tested in 4 sites.
resistance, the number of tubers per plant (in the case of • 49 new bread wheat hybrids from CIMMYT + 3 local
potatoes), number of tillers per plant (in the case of pearl control tested in 5 sites.
millet and wheat), number of cobs per plant (in the case of • 6 potato varieties from. Comptoir du Plant, France in 6 sites.
maize), tuber yield (in the case of potatoes), total weight of • 4 Sesame varieties from National Cereals Research
seed harvested, density of seed and grain quality (protein Institute (NCRI) in 4 sites,
content and bread making qualities in the case of wheat). Note: CIMMYT and ICRISAT are international non-profit
Once a thorough statistical analysis is done, the best organization focused of research and gene banking
varieties are chosen. of seed varieties collected globally for purposes of
food security. The National Cereals Research Institute
Thereafter, in phase two, the best performing varieties are (NCRI), Nigeria is a state-owned Research Institution
to be subjected to variety recognition in Namibia with the under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Development. Comptoir du Plant, is a top French
Reform. Once naming is completed, the variety is gazetted company specialized in the production and the supply
and be taken through seed production/multiplication. At of seed potatoes.
this point, land and irrigation will be needed to produce
seed on a large scale for Namibian farmers.
PHASE I - SEED RESEARCH SEASON 2
(A repeat in 10 farms - 2021/22)
Seed Science
The field of Seed Science is concerned with the evaluation • Select the best 10 - 15 varieties of each crop and test
nd
of new varieties and production of seeds. All seeds have for a 2 season.
DNA that express themselves in terms of their respective • MAWLF approved the gazetted selected varieties -
genetic potential. This may take the form of yield potential, UNAM takes the copyright for the varieties from non-
drought tolerance, resistance to diseases, colour of the profit and public sector institutions.
seeds, growth characteristics, duration to maturity and so PHASE II - SEED PRODUCTION
forth. The genetic potential of seeds influences the harvest (e.g. in 100 ha in pivot irrigation)
amount by about 50 percent. The other half is influenced • Seed production, processing, packaging and selling
by environmental/climatic factors such as the amount of (e.g. through AGRA stores).
water and temperature. • Land, machinery, water are required.
UNAM’s National Capstone Contributions