Plant productivity remains above average

As the 2024/2025 rainy season comes to an end, plant productivity is slowing down across most Namibian rangelands. According to the latest State of the Rangelands report, despite this seasonal decline, above-average growth conditions persist in many parts of the country.It said that dry conditions have been observed in parts of western Omaheke, as well as in areas of the Zambezi, Hardap, and //Kharas regions, and in the desert areas along the coast.The report said that plant productivity remains above average across much of Namibia."However, dry or drying conditions have been observed in some areas, particularly in the desert regions along the coast."Farmers and rangeland users have been advised that as the growing season draws to a close, now is the time to assess forage availability for the upcoming dry season.“Prepare for the increased risk of wildfires. Where controlled burns are planned, ensure all activities comply with relevant regulations.”According to the report, livestock production in Namibia is almost entirely dependent on the productivity of its rangelands, which may plummet to near zero during severe droughts. It stated that rainfall variability poses severe management challenges for livestock farmers, who must balance animal forage requirements with the forage produced, while also preventing land degradation.“This information can reveal which parts of the country are likely to be most affected by drought towards the end of the dry season, which allows sufficient time to plan drought relief efforts.”The report explained that the key component of the early warning system is based on freely available remote sensing technology that measures active vegetation growth across Namibia in near real-time.

Plant productivity remains above average

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-20

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Plant productivity remains above average

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Namibian Sun 2026-05-20

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