Windhoek
Khorixas Constituency Councillor Sebastian !Gobs says government should consider providing fodder for animals in the region rather than drought relief to humans, as livestock in the town and on surrounding farms are severely affected by drought.
“The drought is not yet over in Khorixas. It’s not only cattle battling for grass. We have conservancies. The same grass that the wild animals are eating is the same grass that the cattle are eating,” remarked !Gobs.
He opines that humans could easily fend for themselves when it comes to food while mostly animals suffer when there is no vegetation.
Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry’s extension office in Khorixas indicates Fransfontein, Braunfels, Gainatseb, Sorri-Sorris and Morewag which are situated in the Khorixas Constituency are seriously affected by drought as rainfall has been very poor for the past three years.
A communiqué from that office indicates there are 1 264 farmers, over 11 000 cattle, and in excess of 53 000 goats affected.
Statistics from the area also show that over 12 000 sheep are affected while donkeys, horses and mules are equally affected by the drought.
“The problem is animals are worse off when it comes to drought. There is no grazing because of the drought. This area is drought-stricken because we didn’t receive enough rain. We are requesting government to reconsider providing farmers with fodder until it rains,” said !Gobs.
He said the request to consider subsidising farmers with fodder was received unfavourably as there are concerns non-farmers will take advantage of the situation.
“Surely there are mechanisms to counter that,”!Gobs noted.
“The whole area is prone to severe droughts, which can result in heavy stock loses,” states information from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry’s extension office.