Communal farmers bear brunt of wildlife conflict
Human-wildlife conflict is a threat to Namibian farmers, especially those in the northern communal area (NCA).
This was said by Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) president Jason Emvula at a media conference in Windhoek.
According to Emvula, the concern is not only about the loss of human lives, but also the killing of domestic animals, which constitutes the livelihoods of community farmers, while elephants and antelopes destroy crops.
The union leader pointed out that “buffaloes and the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) they carry are the reason why NCA farmers cannot sell their beef to lucrative markets”.
Acknowledging that Namibia's tourism industry has a strong and organic link with nature, Emvula appealed to relevant authorities to ensure that the success of nature conservation is not at the expense of farming and agriculture.
The union is also concerned about commercial farmers who are farming at the expense of the environment.
“There are a number of very negative and harmful farming practices like overstocking, especially in the northern communal area,” Emvula said.
He urged farmers to reduce the number of animals to a level that allows the environment to sustain them, while at the same time appealing to agricultural extension workers to help educate farmers in this regard.
NNFU vice-president Oiva Mahina urged communal farmers to sell their cattle and invest the money in other avenues.
Asked how the NNFU planned to deal with communal farmers who believe in having large numbers of livestock, Mahina told Nampa that programmes were under way to educate farmers in this regard.
NAMPA
This was said by Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) president Jason Emvula at a media conference in Windhoek.
According to Emvula, the concern is not only about the loss of human lives, but also the killing of domestic animals, which constitutes the livelihoods of community farmers, while elephants and antelopes destroy crops.
The union leader pointed out that “buffaloes and the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) they carry are the reason why NCA farmers cannot sell their beef to lucrative markets”.
Acknowledging that Namibia's tourism industry has a strong and organic link with nature, Emvula appealed to relevant authorities to ensure that the success of nature conservation is not at the expense of farming and agriculture.
The union is also concerned about commercial farmers who are farming at the expense of the environment.
“There are a number of very negative and harmful farming practices like overstocking, especially in the northern communal area,” Emvula said.
He urged farmers to reduce the number of animals to a level that allows the environment to sustain them, while at the same time appealing to agricultural extension workers to help educate farmers in this regard.
NNFU vice-president Oiva Mahina urged communal farmers to sell their cattle and invest the money in other avenues.
Asked how the NNFU planned to deal with communal farmers who believe in having large numbers of livestock, Mahina told Nampa that programmes were under way to educate farmers in this regard.
NAMPA
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