By: Mathias Hangala
Local farmers like Penepandulo Filemon, a mushroom farmer, believe that equipping Namibian farmers with modern farming technology is essential for improving productivity, creating jobs, and building a sustainable agricultural sector.
Filemon argues that traditional farming methods are limiting growth and preventing local farmers from taking full advantage of opportunities in the market.
“Most of us farmers are considered to be behind,” Filemon said in an interview with Eagle FM last week. “Many farmers are not well-acquainted with technology, especially since the majority are over 60. Technology isn’t something common to them. But if we can equip farmers with the latest tools and equipment, it will really help,” she remarked.
She emphasised that while modern systems and farming tools exist that can accelerate production cycles and reduce labour intensity, these technologies are often inaccessible to local farmers.
“In the past, everything was done by hand, even planting tomatoes. Nowadays, there are upgraded systems, but we don’t have access to those here in Namibia,” she added.
Although often categorised with vegetables, mushrooms are a type of fungus. They reproduce by releasing millions of spores and grow above ground or on organic material. Mushrooms are native to North America and Europe, but have gained popularity globally due to their health benefits and culinary versatility.
Thousands of edible mushroom varieties exist, but the most common include Cremini, Portobello, Porcini, Shiitake, Oyster, Chanterelle, and Enoki. Rich in vitamins and minerals, mushrooms are increasingly being added to local diets in Namibia, with farmers like Filemon leading the way.
Filemon’s own journey into mushroom farming began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when market prices soared and availability declined. Seeing the potential, she underwent training in Swakopmund and went on to start her own mushroom farm, where she now employs three permanent staff.
Despite her success, Filemon says financial constraints remain a barrier for emerging farmers.
“Finance is the biggest issue in farming. To expand, you need money. You also need to train your staff, which costs money; even if that support comes from the government.”
She also called for tax relief for small farmers, explaining that mandatory payments to NAMRA and Social Security reduce the already minimal profits several farmers earn.
“As a businesswoman, I can say we are tied up with so many bills to pay,” she said.
Filemon noted that while there are more funding programs available for farmers this year, accessing them requires awareness and initiative.
“There are pages online you can follow to find financing or training opportunities. One just needs to use the internet to their advantage and apply,” she noted.
When it comes to selling produce, Filemon highlighted that many farmers are not ready to access retail markets because they lack proper training in record-keeping and quality control.
“Retailers want to see updated logbooks before they buy. Many farmers don’t have these, which becomes a problem,” she stated.
Transport also remains a costly hurdle. Filemon explained the difficulty of moving produce from Grootfontein to Walvis Bay without proper cold storage.
“You can’t just put mushrooms on a trailer. By the time they arrive, the quality has dropped. You lose value,” she expressed.
She spoke to the importance of developing local markets—supermarkets, vendors, and direct sales—to reduce transport costs and preserve product quality.
Echoing her sentiments, a regular Eagle FM caller known as Uncle Bwana noted that while funding opportunities exist, farmers need to organise themselves—particularly in groups—to improve their chances of receiving support.
“There are so many opportunities, but farmers must come together and apply collectively,” he said.
Filemon’s story highlights both the promise and the challenges of farming in Namibia today. With access to modern technology, proper training, and financial support, local farmers—especially youth and women—can thrive in the agricultural sector. But this requires a shift away from traditional approaches and a collective effort to empower farmers with the tools they need to succeed.
Meanwhile, Abner Tomas, Founder and Owner of Ndaka Mushrooms, a mushroom business that also benefitted from the recent National Youth Development Fund (NYDF), could not hide his excitement. He said the funding will boost his enterprise in two key ways: by supporting efforts to market its mushroom products internationally, with a focus on value-added offerings such as mushroom tea and soup, which have a longer shelf life; and by enabling the business to produce high-quality products tailored for premium markets.
“It is a loan, which we understand will be repaid after five years, and there is a grace period,” Tomas said. He added that while their products are not yet available on international markets, they have participated in global exhibitions, including events in Zimbabwe and China, among others.
However, Lalli Matsola from Helsinki, Finland, while in talks with The Villager said that even though it is currently mushroom harvesting season in their country – and mushrooms are known to be healthy as they provide non-animal protein, minerals, and vitamins – they are not growing them, but rather picking wild ones in the forests. He explained that in Finland, anyone is free to go into the forests, whether they are public or privately owned, to pick wild berries and mushrooms, as there is plenty to harvest during the season.
