By: Loise Shiimi
Inonge Mutwa, a beginner garlic grower, recently celebrated her first successful harvest of 1,500 kg in November 2025.
Mutwa began her journey in garlic cultivation during the Covid-19 pandemic, motivated by the high demand and soaring prices of garlic at that time.
In a conversation with Eagle FM, she shared that she started conducting her research in 2022.
“During the pandemic, garlic was in high demand and often quite expensive in stores. Since I have a farm, I decided to delve deeper into garlic cultivation. I discovered that it is an excellent crop to grow, so I decided to give it a try by planting in April 2025,” she said.
Additionally, Mutwa recognised a significant market gap in Namibia, where the demand for garlic far exceeded local production.
Sharing how to determine the optimal time for harvesting garlic, she shared that the yellowing of the leaves usually serves as a tell-tale sign for harvesting. Typically, 30-50% of the foliage should turn brown while the upper leaves remain green, Mutwa noted.
“I also dug up a bulb to check if the skins were papery, confirming they were ready for harvest,” she indicated.
Reflecting on her harvesting experience, Mutwa revealed that her yield exceeded what she had initially planted.
“We planted just 25 kg, but we harvested an impressive 1,500 kg. This was our first attempt, and the results were beyond my expectations,” she remarked.
Despite the positive harvest, Mutwa has no plans to sell any garlic this season, instead opting to replant the entire yield to boost future production.
“We plan to start selling from our next harvest, which will be around October or November 2026. At that point, we will also offer seeds to other farmers interested in garlic cultivation,” she indicated.
Mutwa also discussed the challenges she faced throughout the farming process, noting that the main obstacle included controlling weeds, as garlic cannot compete effectively with them.
“We ensured to remove all unwanted plants to minimise competition,” she explained.
Another challenge she encountered was related to water availability. She stated that their water pressure is quite low, making it difficult for water to reach the far end of the field.
“As a result, some plants in those areas dried out and did not achieve their full growth potential. Those that received adequate water thrived, resulting in larger bulbs,” she noted.
For aspiring garlic farmers, Mutwa indicated that demand is strong and continually rising, as Namibia relies heavily on imported garlic.
“The market is expected to grow, especially given the increasing health trends and changing culinary preferences,” she said.
After her initial harvest of 1,500 kg, Mutwa has high hopes for next year’s yield, expecting between 3,500 to 4,000 kg under optimal conditions. She plans to introduce two additional varieties to her production.
Reiterating that garlic is a high-value crop, she encouraged “newcomers to pursue garlic farming. The returns are significantly higher compared to many standard crops,” she stated.
She further noted that there are relatively few farmers growing garlic, providing a unique opportunity.
“It’s essential to start small and scale up gradually. Have your soil tested before planting to understand its deficiencies,” Mutwa advised.
In terms of best practices for storing garlic, Mutwa noted that proper storage is crucial to minimise waste and losses, keeping it firm and flavourful for months.
“You need to cure the bulbs by hanging them in a well-ventilated area for 3-4 weeks until the skins are dry and papery. After that, trim the roots by cutting off the ends once cured. Store the garlic in a mesh bag or basket to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to rot,” she shared.
Mutwa also recommended keeping garlic bulbs cool and dry, in a pantry, cellar, or garage shelf with low humidity.
Amid the high unemployment rates and limited opportunities in the country, Mutwa has employed five permanent staff members.
“Not only have we hired permanent employees, but we also provided opportunities for three interns from UNAM, NUST, and VTC who joined us in December. We expect to increase the number of interns to five during the planting season this year,” she added.
