Namibia: Barley-growing project delivers positive results

Import of barley could be a thing of the past as trials of the barley-growing project in Namibia has delivered positive results, All Africa reported on May, 11.

Annually, Namibia Breweries imports 30 000 thousand tons of barley from producers around Europe at an undisclosed cost.

This was revealed when a delegation of Namibia Breweries Limited (NBL) paid a courtesy call on the Agriculture, Water and Forestry Minister John Mutorwa in Windhoek on May, 10 to discuss the progress of the barley feasibility study, and results of trials which started in June last year.

NBL Managing Director, Wessie van der Westhuizen, said even though the results are positive they are not yet able to confirm which of the six varieties trialled is most suitable to Namibia’s “climatic conditions and our brewing needs" as the results varied over four different locations.

"However, I am pleased to confirm that the yields exceeded our expectations and that the next round of trials will be conducted to improve the cropping regime and gather further data as part of the feasibility study,"' he said during his briefing with Mutorwa.

Van der Westhuizen also indicated that in addition to identifying the most suitable variety of barley and ideal cropping regime, the feasibility study would also explore various malting options in determining the viability of the local malt barley industry. A move he believes will provide numerous employment opportunities and secondary benefits to Namibia.

The results indicate that all cultivars reached maturity and yielded within four and half months. The site in Hardap produced between five and seven tons, and is followed by Omusati with four to five tons respectively. Oshikoto and Kavango produced 2.4 and 1.6 tons respectively.

The next seeding season for the second trials commence in May this year, and harvesting is expected in mid-October with the final results expected by December.

The project is spearheaded by Namibia Breweries Limited with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, with technical support of the University of Namibia (Unam).

11 May, 2012