By Albertina Nakale
WINDHOEK – Kunene, which is the region worst-affected by drought, will have to continue relying on government drought relief food, as no ploughing activities have taken place yet due to a prolonged dry spell.
Residents of Kunene, who have been battling drought for the last four consecutive years since 2010, have expressed concern over the looming drought.
The Namibia Meteorological Services on Wednesday reported no rainfall in Opuwo while Gobabis recorded 1mm, Ondangwa and Walvis Bay Airport 0.6mm, Otjiwarongo 0.4mm, Rundu Airport and Oranjemund 0.2mm.
Speaking to New Era in an interview yesterday, the Kunene Regional Governor, Joshua //Hoebeb, who confirmed the dilemma, said: “Nobody has ploughed in the whole region. It is getting very late for ploughing and even if the rain comes end of February, it will only help improve the livestock.”
With agriculture limited by the region’s dry, sandy soil, most of the local population relies on livestock farming, leading a semi-nomadic existence dictated by the search for fresh pasture for the cattle and goats.
//Hoebeb added that the conditions of the livestock have also deteriorated, especially cattle, but sheep and goats are still surviving fairly well.
“We might expect deaths of cattle due to drought. Let us hope rain will come to save the livestock. Drought is looming and it’s the fourth time in a row that rain failed in Kunene Region substantially, as of the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011,” he noted.
According to him, government will have to continue providing drought relief food, adding that the Kunene regional disaster risk management unit will soon compile a report to government that the situation did not improve since last year’s drought.
“If rain fails, government has to provide people with food. But fortunately government’s programme for drought relief has not been officially suspended. Those affected the most are still receiving food depending on the volume of food available,” he said.
Meanwhile, crop farmers in both Kavango regions are worried that there is also a drought looming, as there has been no rain for the past weeks and crops planted during November and December will wither if rain does not come before end of January.
Ploughing activities have also reportedly come to a standstill due to lack of rainfall in both regions.
Dr Samuel Mbambo, the Kavango East Regional Governor, also confirmed the looming drought.
“The communal farmers are having a big problem because there is no rain. Those who planted already are facing a crisis. Last year by this time, we could see good crops but now crops are drying up and we are worried. Things are not looking good at all,” Mbambo expressed with concern.
He, however, said since the regions received some good showers during November and December, livestock is not affected as yet.
Mbambo also revealed that the government’s green scheme projects are ready to step in if drought does occur.
The governor is, however, hopeful that the rains will come, as there are rain prospects.
“Let us not throw the towel [in] yet until we see we can’t anymore. My message for the crop farmers is that they should not cry for the rain but cry on how to prepare their crop fields. The one who gives rain will give rain. We should not give up,” he encouraged farmers.
Since 2013, when Namibia faced what could be its most severe drought in 30 years, the situation is serious, and underlines the importance of Namibia’s efforts to become climate-resilient. The severe drought in 2013 prompted President Hifikepunye Pohamba to declare a state of emergency in May the same year.
During that year, about 31 596 households in the two Kavango regions were registered for food aid from the government.