Farmers in the Okavango region say excessive rainfall has caused widespread crop damage, sparking fears of a failed harvest and threatening livelihoods across the district.
The persistent downpours, which have lasted longer than in previous years, have left fields waterlogged and difficult to manage. Many farmers report significant losses as crops rot in the ground, while others have been unable to even reach their fields due to the muddy conditions.
According to local growers, the unusually wet season has made it nearly impossible to protect produce or carry out routine maintenance. The continuous rain has not only delayed the harvest but also destroyed entire yields, leaving many with nothing to show for their labor.
Kemo Begani, a farmer from Kauxwi village, suffered major losses after the rains decimated her fields. Despite planting a large crop of cabbage, she says she failed to harvest a single head.
“I planted a huge garden of cabbage, but I did not harvest even one because they were all damaged,” she said.
Begani added that her green pepper yield also fell far below expectations. “I only managed to harvest about 50 crates of green pepper, which is far less than what I was expecting,” she said.
She described how the relentless weather worsened the decay: “There was a time it rained from Sunday to Sunday consistently, causing our produce to rot. When we went to inspect the garden after the rains stopped, there was a strong smell of rotten vegetables.”
In Mohembo, farmer Koos Schoeman shared similar concerns, noting that the rain stunted crop development and overall productivity. He explained that younger tomatoes are unlikely to reach maturity due to poor soil and vegetation conditions.
“The small tomatoes will not grow bigger because there is no proper vegetation to support their growth,” Schoeman said. He estimated that while a small portion of his crop survived, he has lost approximately two tonnes of production to the rain.
However, the impact has not been universal. Cucumber farmer Benny Murundu noted that the rains actually benefited his yield. He explained that by using higher ridges for his plants, he allowed excess water to drain away, preventing waterlogging.
“When you plant on higher ridges, water does not affect the crop as much,” he said, noting that his cucumbers performed well this season. “Cucumbers are not difficult to grow. They do well in any season, whether it is hot or rainy.”
Despite these isolated successes, the majority of farmers say the overall impact has been severe. They are now calling for enhanced government support and better strategies to help the agricultural community cope with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
