Swakopmund: In the arid communal landscapes of Ongaka village in the Omuthiya Constituency of the Oshikoto Region, where rainfall is both lifeline and uncertainty, Tulimuwo Shiinda is redefining dryland farming. Six years after leaving his job as a geologist to focus primarily on agriculture, Shinda has transformed his modest field into a flourishing food production hub sustained solely by seasonal rains. His diversified enterprise, which includes thriving horticulture and small livestock such as goats, pigs, and rabbits, now sustains his family and earns him growing recognition in the community.

According to Namibia Press Agency, while most communal farmers focus on traditional staples like mahangu, sorghum, beans, and Bambara nuts, Shiinda has expanded and is now planting white short sorghum, white corn, yellow corn for animal feed, indigenous red corn, yellow and white sweet potatoes, sunflowers, maize, groundnuts, pumpkins, cherry tomatoes, hibiscus, cashew nut trees, apples, and granadilla - all thriving without irrigation. The secret to his success lies in raised beds, where crop leaves cover the soil between rows to suppress weeds effectively.

Shiinda emphasized the importance of learning from indigenous knowledge to build climate-resilient farming practices, from selecting indigenous seed varieties and planting timing to land preparation and choosing appropriate soil types. Despite his successes, water remains a persistent challenge due to the lack of irrigation. Shiinda explained that they rely on rain-fed farming, making the most out of the available rains. The region has generally received good rains over the years, though some seasons have been disappointing, pushing him to grow climate-resilient crops.

Shiinda has faced setbacks, including failed attempts to grow potatoes due to pests and unsuitable soil, while wheat did not perform well as it is not a typical winter crop in the area. He plans to test wheat again during the summer, noting that fruit flies are a major challenge. Despite these hurdles, Shiinda's commitment to sustainable and diversified practices has made him an inspiration. He believes that the Agronomic Board's decision to close borders on certain agricultural produce creates opportunities for local farmers to fill domestic demand.

Shiinda's integrated approach, combining crops, horticulture, and small livestock like pigs, demonstrates the productivity of communal land. He advocates for Namibia to export pork rather than import it from Europe, just as the country does with beef. Through continuous learning, indigenous wisdom, and adaptive techniques, Shiinda's success arrives at a critical time when food security and climate resilience are major concerns for rural communities across Namibia.

Omuthiya constituency Councillor Erastus Nekomba highlighted Shiinda's field as an inspiration contributing to food security within the constituency. Nekomba emphasized that food security reduces the burden of drought relief on the government, allowing them to focus on other aspects like health and education. He urged other farmers to practise modern intercropping to avoid passing diseases between crops, maximize space, and promote sustainability. Nekomba's office is working with Shiinda to share his knowledge with other farmers and school-going children, especially those studying agriculture.