Dying crops threaten food security
Uncertainty among northern subsistence farmers
While some crops can still be harvested, subsistence farmers are increasingly worried that their crops will wither due to the lack of rain over the past few weeks.
While some subsistence farmers' crops appear promising for a good harvest, others are hoping and praying for rain as soon as possible. The lack of rain over the past few weeks has left many crops on the verge of dying, posing a significant threat to food security.
Communities in the northern regions are experiencing strain at the sight of crop fields where once-promising green mahangu crops have turned brown due to the lack of rain and high temperatures.
In a recent interview, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala said the current situation is worrisome.
“We started very well. We could say we are one of the regions that received healthy rain, but now in the present moment we find it a bit difficult because those mahangu fields, which were properly prepared and people had cultivated, now the sun came and some crops are burnt and the recovery process is taking a bit longer because there is not enough rain,” Endjala said.
He added: “Those that have grown to the size of being harvested, we can lose them and now we are just relying on the young ones that were cultivated a little bit late; probably that’s where we can only have hope.”
Hope for more rain
Apart from the loss of crops, farmers often lose thousands of dollars invested in their fields for ploughing, planting and weeding.
With so much uncertainty about when the rain will come, subsistence farmers, especially those from poverty-stricken households, are concerned about their survival this year.
Although government has provided drought relief food over the years, its impact is often limited. Subsistence farmers who aim for bumper harvests often sell some of their crops to generate additional income in order to sustain their livelihoods.
“It is a worrisome situation, but in certain areas there are crops that are doing well. We must just hope that the situation in March is not like that in February. If March goes the same as February, then we must forget about harvesting,” Endjala warned.
Rainfall a worry
Oshikoto regional governor Penda Ya Ndakolo also expressed concern over the poor rainfall in his region over the past few weeks.
“The truth is that the rain in our area was good, and three weeks ago, the rain stopped. Although it is raining here and there, one cannot say it is good rain.”
Ya Ndakolo stated that the region is on standby to assist those affected by dry conditions.
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Communities in the northern regions are experiencing strain at the sight of crop fields where once-promising green mahangu crops have turned brown due to the lack of rain and high temperatures.
In a recent interview, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala said the current situation is worrisome.
“We started very well. We could say we are one of the regions that received healthy rain, but now in the present moment we find it a bit difficult because those mahangu fields, which were properly prepared and people had cultivated, now the sun came and some crops are burnt and the recovery process is taking a bit longer because there is not enough rain,” Endjala said.
He added: “Those that have grown to the size of being harvested, we can lose them and now we are just relying on the young ones that were cultivated a little bit late; probably that’s where we can only have hope.”
Hope for more rain
Apart from the loss of crops, farmers often lose thousands of dollars invested in their fields for ploughing, planting and weeding.
With so much uncertainty about when the rain will come, subsistence farmers, especially those from poverty-stricken households, are concerned about their survival this year.
Although government has provided drought relief food over the years, its impact is often limited. Subsistence farmers who aim for bumper harvests often sell some of their crops to generate additional income in order to sustain their livelihoods.
“It is a worrisome situation, but in certain areas there are crops that are doing well. We must just hope that the situation in March is not like that in February. If March goes the same as February, then we must forget about harvesting,” Endjala warned.
Rainfall a worry
Oshikoto regional governor Penda Ya Ndakolo also expressed concern over the poor rainfall in his region over the past few weeks.
“The truth is that the rain in our area was good, and three weeks ago, the rain stopped. Although it is raining here and there, one cannot say it is good rain.”
Ya Ndakolo stated that the region is on standby to assist those affected by dry conditions.
[email protected]
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