Agriculture plays a major role in the economy of Namibia, second only to the
mining sector in contributions to exports and GDP (10%) and is by far the
greatest source of employment and/or subsistence for the majority of the population
(+70%). Of the 82.4 million ha surface area, 15% is not suitable for farming;
15% of the surface area, mainly in the agriculturally unsuitable areas, is
state owned (nature reserves, Diamond Area); 44% of the total area is farmed
commercially and 41% is communal land. Only 34% of the available land is
suitable for crop farming, but only 1.4% of this is actually utilized (Talbot,
1970; Anonymous, 1990; Appa Rao et al., 1991). The largest part of Namibia
is utilized by both commercial and subsistence farmers for livestock farming
with the natural vegetation as grazing. Crop production is only possible in the
north and north-east where rainfall is sufficient or at the few small irrigation
schemes where permanent water is available. Once again, crops are produced
by commercial as well as subsistence farmers. The carrying capacity in the
northern communal regions of Namibia is estimated to be 0.1 to 0.5 persons
per cultivated ha (Appa Rao et al., 1991). The main crops in Namibia are pearl
millet, sorghum, maize, wheat, beans, alfalfa and some fruit and vegetables
(melons, grapes, tomatoes).