Concerns raised over rangeland management

Namibia's rangelands continue to become less productive, less profitable and riskier over time.This is according to a presentation by Colin Nott, the coordinator of the Namibia Rangeland Management Policy and Strategy. He gave the presentation at the 22nd Rangeland Forum.“On a national scale we are managing our rangelands incorrectly and the livestock industry is in decline,” Nott said. He said farmers are going out of business and those that do not change and adapt the way they are doing things will also go under in the near future.According to him cattle farmers have to be 7% more efficient each year and sheep farmers 2% more efficient, to maintain the same level of profitability. Nott said markets are not working in the best interest of the farmer. He added that communal areas cannot, as yet, apply sound rangeland management effectively at scale.“But our rangelands can be made more productive. To stay farming we need to focus on profitability.”According to Nott, to be productive, the needs of grass plants, the soil and animals must be met. “We have to change our mindsets and what we are doing to meet these needs.”He stressed that although grass plants are needed for grazing, they also need time to recover. According to him recovery time is needed to allow plant reserves to be restored.Time is also needed for new seedlings to become established and to decrease plant spacing. Recovery time also improves biodiversity and the quality of grass, and reduces input costs over time. “If plants are severely grazed in the growing season, they will need a full year to recover. If plants are less severely grazed, then the recovery period will automatically be reduced.”Nott said further that the impact of animals on rangelands can also be curbed to achieve improved grass production, biodiversity, break capping and an improved water cycle.He said the impact of animals plays an important role in the bush-to-grass ratio and therefore has major implications on how bush thinning and aftercare is done.Nott added that bush thinning is a key aspect that increases livestock production in certain parts of the country. ELLANIE SMIT

Concerns raised over rangeland management

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-28

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Concerns raised over rangeland management

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-28

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