Title:

Agro-ecological Zoning Programme

Abstract:

Namibia is one of the driest countries in the sourthern Africa and therefore it is not surprising that the majority of the agricultural activities are located in arid and semi-arid zones. Approximately 65% of the total area of Namibia is a semi-arid while the 30 % of the total area falls within the arid zone and only 5% is subhumid zone. In order to manage projects in these areas it is important to understand the characteristics of Namibian’s fragile and arid environment. Apart from being the driest countries in southern Africa, Namibia is also confronted with many challenges such as soil erosion and land degradation, desertification, deforestation and rangeland degradation. Present intensive development and expanding of Namibia agricultural sector makes it necessary to utilise natural resources in a sustainable manner. One of the very important natural resource that needs to be managed and utilise in a sustainable manner is the “land”. In order to assessment the land suitability for agriculture it is important to determine the physical, biological and chemical properties of the different soil types, the land cover and landforms. On the basis of each properties a number of soil morphological, analytical and spatial land criteria, economical-, social and environmental aspects needs to be considered. The delineation of the land mapping and soil mapping units were done on a semi-detailed scale (1:85 000), while the finale maps were printed on a reconnaissance scale (1:250 000). The soils of the pilot are shallow characterised by many medium to coarse quartz gravels and deep sands of the Kalahari Basins. In general all the soils of the pilot are shows poor horizon development and structural development and thus can be as a result of the prevailing dry environmental conditions.

Publisher:
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Namibia
Item Type:
Report
Language:
en
Files:
Attachment Size
QLPP project_Soils report.pdf 2.8 MB