Agriculture

The indigenous Kalahari Red goats arrived in South Africa and Namibia with migrating tribes from the north of Africa. Early records describe lob-eared goats in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, as well as in areas of Namibia.

The decision by most farmers countrywide to destock their cattle and other small livestock has spiked an increase in the country’s live cattle export market, which saw over 57 415 cattle exported since the start of the year.

As we continue on the tips and key points to be considered when transitioning into commercial farming that we covered previously, below are a few critical steps to consider as an emerging and experienced farmer seeking to go commercial.

Many livelihoods in Namibia rely directly or indirectly on agriculture and the products that reward the hardworking men and women who farm as a way of life.

Water scarcity in the Tsumkwe constituency continues to prevent crop farmers in the area from producing sufficient food for household consumption and selling to locals for possible profit generation.

Namibia’s key stakeholders and major role-players in the country’s agriculture sector recently convened in the capital to deposit their final inputs and put the last touches on the National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP). 

For the first time in about 15 years, Namibia has managed to achieve a rate of 45% food self-sufficiency – thanks to local farmers who continue to contribute towards the reduction of staple grain imports, such as maize, pearl millet and wheat. 

Two farmers at Okauarongo village in Omaheke region’s Otjombinde constituency recently lost a total of seven cattle to lightning. Okauarongo is situated 14km south of Tallismanus.