Farmers assisted after drought
Close to 4 000 breeding goats have been distributed in nine regions to help small-scale farmers get back on their feet after the drought.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Small-scale farmers in the //Karas, Hardap, Kunene and Omaheke regions will receive quality breeding goats from government this financial year after having been faced with one of the worst droughts in Namibia.
This is but one of the interventions the agriculture ministry is implementing to assist farmers following the declaration of the drought as a national state of emergency in May 2019.
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein - who was responding to questions posed in Parliament - said the ministry and other stakeholders implemented measures to mitigate negative impacts on affected and vulnerable communities after the national emergency was declared. These measures were mainly in the areas of water, livestock marketing, fodder and food provision, he said.
As drought relief interventions, the ministry implemented the livestock marketing scheme, the animal feed subsidy and fodder provision, lease grazing, transport subsidy and water provision.
As an ongoing intervention to support vulnerable households with quality core breeding stock, the ministry is implementing the small stock distribution and development programme in communal areas, Schlettwein said.
“This revolving project is aimed at providing quality core breeding flock of suitable local goats to selected vulnerable households to gain a sustainable means of income and increased food security.”
3 780 goats distributed
During this financial year, the programme will benefit small-scale farmers and the former South West Africa Territorial Force members camping at the Katutura Hall in Windhoek, who are set to be relocated to their respective regions.
The minister said the process of selecting potential beneficiaries and the distribution of goats is at its final stage.
To date, 180 beneficiaries have benefitted from the project, while a total of 3 780 goats were distributed in the Kavango West, Kavango East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Ohangwena, Khomas, Oshana and Kunene regions.
Furthermore, Schlettwein spoke about the Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management (Irema) Kunene Project Small Stock Revolving Scheme. He said the project, which is being implemented with the Environmental Investment Fund, aims to improve the livelihood of rural communities and to contribute to food and nutrition security.
He said the scheme is also aimed at providing quality core breeding flock of suitable goats to selected vulnerable households to gain a sustainable means of income generation and enhanced food and nutrition security while improving their social and economic well-being. Considering that Namibia is extensively affected by climate change, Schlettwein said vulnerable households that own either a few livestock or none are severely affected by the effects of drought, pests and disease outbreak.
“Therefore, this project is striving to assist farmers in Kunene region with the restocking of small stock.”
To date, the ministry has handed over 400 does and 20 bucks to farmers in Kunene. The value of the goats, fodder, medicine and vaccine is estimated at around N$900 000. The ministry has also empowered the beneficiaries with training in small stock management.
The beneficiaries are being closely monitored through the extension officials of the ministry to ensure sustainability of the scheme.
WINDHOEK
Small-scale farmers in the //Karas, Hardap, Kunene and Omaheke regions will receive quality breeding goats from government this financial year after having been faced with one of the worst droughts in Namibia.
This is but one of the interventions the agriculture ministry is implementing to assist farmers following the declaration of the drought as a national state of emergency in May 2019.
Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein - who was responding to questions posed in Parliament - said the ministry and other stakeholders implemented measures to mitigate negative impacts on affected and vulnerable communities after the national emergency was declared. These measures were mainly in the areas of water, livestock marketing, fodder and food provision, he said.
As drought relief interventions, the ministry implemented the livestock marketing scheme, the animal feed subsidy and fodder provision, lease grazing, transport subsidy and water provision.
As an ongoing intervention to support vulnerable households with quality core breeding stock, the ministry is implementing the small stock distribution and development programme in communal areas, Schlettwein said.
“This revolving project is aimed at providing quality core breeding flock of suitable local goats to selected vulnerable households to gain a sustainable means of income and increased food security.”
3 780 goats distributed
During this financial year, the programme will benefit small-scale farmers and the former South West Africa Territorial Force members camping at the Katutura Hall in Windhoek, who are set to be relocated to their respective regions.
The minister said the process of selecting potential beneficiaries and the distribution of goats is at its final stage.
To date, 180 beneficiaries have benefitted from the project, while a total of 3 780 goats were distributed in the Kavango West, Kavango East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa, Erongo, Ohangwena, Khomas, Oshana and Kunene regions.
Furthermore, Schlettwein spoke about the Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management (Irema) Kunene Project Small Stock Revolving Scheme. He said the project, which is being implemented with the Environmental Investment Fund, aims to improve the livelihood of rural communities and to contribute to food and nutrition security.
He said the scheme is also aimed at providing quality core breeding flock of suitable goats to selected vulnerable households to gain a sustainable means of income generation and enhanced food and nutrition security while improving their social and economic well-being. Considering that Namibia is extensively affected by climate change, Schlettwein said vulnerable households that own either a few livestock or none are severely affected by the effects of drought, pests and disease outbreak.
“Therefore, this project is striving to assist farmers in Kunene region with the restocking of small stock.”
To date, the ministry has handed over 400 does and 20 bucks to farmers in Kunene. The value of the goats, fodder, medicine and vaccine is estimated at around N$900 000. The ministry has also empowered the beneficiaries with training in small stock management.
The beneficiaries are being closely monitored through the extension officials of the ministry to ensure sustainability of the scheme.
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