DROUGHT DROUGHT DROUGHT...!!!!!

No grazing available especially where veld fires destroyed grazing during the  previous dry season

The rainy season is coming to an end with very little rain recorder in Erongo region. The situation is extremely dire. The Namibia Agriculture Union already met with the Minister of Agriculture (read more in the weekly NAU newsletter). The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry will meet in Otjiwarongo from 18-19 March 2013 during a Stakeholder Consultative/Preparatory Meeting on the Flood and Drought Situation in order to develop a way forward.

Drought situation in Erongo region:2013

                  1. Livestock statistics:  

Agri Dev.Center (ADC)	No. of Farmers	Ha	Goats	Sheep	Cattle	Mules	Horses	Donkeys
Uis	450	80803	14056	8500	1500		74	807
Okombahe	620		18677	15926	2185	20	120	800
Spitzkoppe	480	107000	11300	10400	4315		110	200
Otjimbingwe	600	96000	20208	8381	9335	3	285	701
Utuseb	350		3500	260	370		120	800
Omatjette
Commercial

              Source: DEES staff

2.      Rainfall condition

Rainfall data recorded at various Agricultural Development Centres (ADCs) from October 2012 to March 2013 is as follows:

ADC	Omaruru	Uis	Spitzkoppe	Otjimbingwe	Okombahe	Omatjette	Utuseb
Rainfall (mm)	40	2	9	16	10		0

3.      Grazing condition

The region has poor livestock grazing condition with exception of Utuseb ADC and its surroundings where grazing is still in good condition.

4.      Livestock condition

Livestock condition in most areas of the region ranges from poor to very poor with     exception of Utuseb ADC where livestock are still in good condition.

5.       Livestock Diseases

Livestock diseases such as External/Internal parasites, Abortion, Pasteurellosis, Botulism, Pulpy kidney were recorded in the region.

6.       Water availability

Water shortage is experienced at Okombahe and Uis areas due to low level of water boreholes in the area and lack of maintenance on broken boreholes.

7.       Field fires

Field fires destroyed the grazing areas of  Otjimbingwe  ADC and its surroundings.

8.      Livestock  Mortality

Livestock losses recorded due to the effect of drought in Uis area  are as follows:  2 Cattle and  117 Goats (older ewes)  .

9. General:

Farmers are reluctant to sell their animals due to low prices offered by the buyers and high transport cost to reach markets.

10. Recommendations made by farmers:

• Available Resettlement farms to be availed for emergency grazing.
• Subsidy to be added on Transport, rent, fodder and marketing.
• Boreholes to be drilled where grazing is available.
• Reported broken boreholes to be  rehabilitated
•  Water quality to be  tested
•  Export levy to be reduced
• Drought feed to be supplied to farmers.
• Communities to be assisted with drought relief food