Warning bells as Namibia’s grazing conditions deteriorate

Namibia’s rangelands are showing clear signs of stress as vegetation conditions deteriorate across large parts of the country.

By the end of March, much of central, western and southern Namibia experienced below-normal vegetation conditions, reflecting a marked decline from the strong greening observed earlier in the rainy season, according to the State of Rangelands report for March.

This shift signals reduced plant growth and increasing moisture stress, particularly in central-western and southern rangelands, where the situation is now most pronounced.

While northern and north-eastern regions continue to hold pockets of near-normal vegetation, these areas have also seen a noticeable weakening over recent weeks.

“The overall picture points to an uneven 2025/2026 rainy season, with inconsistent rainfall patterns limiting sustained vegetation recovery," the report states.

Relief

Recent rain showers in some parts of the country have provided a degree of relief, offering the potential for short-term improvements.

However, the report cautioned that follow-up rainfall and sufficient soil moisture retention will be critical to support any meaningful recovery in grazing conditions.

The stakes are high for Namibia’s agricultural sector.

Livestock production, one of the backbone industries of the country, relies almost entirely on natural rangeland productivity, according to the report.

During severe drought conditions, this productivity can drop to near zero.