Farming areas in deep trouble

Critical to poor grazing conditions in the country - due to meagre rainfall throughout the season - has resulted in livestock deaths and water shortages in some places. However, there is hope that with the recent rainfall over the past weeks the grazing and water situation is expected to improve, especially in regions where livestock is dependent on rainfall water.According to the Crop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report grazing conditions are very poor in the south and west of the country. Grazing in the //Karas Region ranges between critical to poor with the Bondelswarts communal area and Warmbad townlands the worst affected. In the Aroab area, the grazing status was is in a fair state, but the quality is still poor, the report says. The northern, eastern and western part of Berseba received fairly good rainfall for the past three months and grazing has improved. Due to poor grazing in the southern region, most commercial farmers are supplementing their livestock with licks and fodder. “This is said to be a challenge due to a number of emerging and resettlement farmers who are unable to provide supplements to their livestock.”Livestock in the //Karas Region are reported to be in a poor condition, especially in the communal areas, but fair in the commercial area due to supplement efforts by the farmers. In Helmeringhausen and most parts of the Berseba area, livestock are reported to be in a fair to good condition due to better rainfall received in these areas when compared to the rest of the region.The region has also reported few cases of livestock mortalities in the communal areas of the Karasburg constituency as a result of poor grazing and in the commercial area due to plant poisoning. According to the report, water availability is a major concern in the region especially in the communal area. Livestock in the region is highly dependent on boreholes as the main water source, but the water table has significantly dropped. Meanwhile, in the Hardap Region, livestock are in a poor to fair condition in most parts of the region, but in a very poor condition in the Maltahöhe area. Livestock mortalities were also reported in Maltahöhe as a result of poor grazing and water shortages. Aranos, Maltahöhe, Hoachanas and Gochas are the most affected by poor grazing in the region while Amperbo and Vlakplaas in the Kalkplato area reported critical grazing conditions. As a coping mechanism most farmers in the Maltahöhe area have heavily reduced their livestock numbers in the past years due to the adverse effects of protracted drought conditions in the area.The boreholes are also yielding good levels of water and farmers have to track their already weak livestock for long distances in search of water.Moreover, with the current rainfall received, some water catchment areas are filled up, but water levels have already subsided due to high temperatures.Grazing in the Erongo Region ranges between very poor to poor in the communal areas and fair to poor in the commercial areas. Farmers are worried that the situation may get worse if no further rainfall is received for the reminder of the season. Livestock conditions range between poor and fair, while water is available in boreholes and no serious cases of water shortages have been reported in the region. However, the report says due to poor grazing, many livestock are expected to die if no good rainfall is received in the next months.Poor to very poor grazing conditions were also reported in most parts of Omaheke Region and many livestock are reportedly facing severe drought conditions this year.Grazing in the Kunene ranged from very poor to poor in the entire region except in the Outjo area where was fair to good. In the Otjozondjupa Region, grazing improved slightly during January, following some few showers received and was in a fair state in most parts, except Okakarara and Gam constituencies where poor grazing conditions were reported. Cases of livestock mortalities were reported in the Okakarara constituency as a result of poor grazing. Most of the water catchment areas had little water during the assessment period and was not enough to sustain livestock for a long period of time. It was also reported that grazing conditions are extremely poor in Ovitoto.The Kunene and Omaheke regions reported very poor to poor livestock body conditions with livestock mortalities expected in Omaheke. The situation is however said to be better in Outjo in Kunene because of better rainfall received in that area. Meanwhile livestock conditions in the north-eastern part of the country was reported to be good, following good grazing reported in that area. Water supply was reported to be satisfactory with rivers, streams, boreholes and ponds being the mains sources.Grazing in the north-eastern part of the country is said to be much better than the rest of the country given the relative better rainfall conditions received in that area.Poor to good livestock conditions were reported in most of the north-central regions with the extreme eastern part of Oshikoto and Ohangwena and most of Omusati reporting good grazing. ELLANIE SMIT

Farming areas in deep trouble

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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Farming areas in deep trouble

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-18

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