Agriculture

Namibia’s table grapes remain in high demand on the global market, particularly in the hugely lucrative European market and local growers have predicted the 2024/25 season’s market returns to be the best-ever experienced.  The increased demand for the country’s table grapes was further solidified by the timely delivery of the products into the various markets...

Rangeland is defined as an area of land with natural forage materials that are utilised by livestock and wild animals. Its productivity depends on rainfall and utilisation.  Rangeland plants require favourable environmental conditions and protection for their establishment, distribution and resilience in agroecosystems or on livestock farming lands.  In particular, the most important attributes to...

Despite a 29.72% decrease in overall exports on a year-on-year basis, South Africa remains one of Namibia’s single largest cattle export markets. This accounts for the majority of over 11 000 heads of cattle that were exported to various destinations between December last year and now.  On a year-on-year basis, Namibia exported over 11 000...

Building a sustainable and reputable farming business is a journey that requires commitment, dedication and hard work from a farmer and all teams on the farm. On average, it takes about 10 to 20 years for one to build a highly- profitable farming enterprise. However, one of the critical concerns that most successful farmers face...

In its continuous effort to boost the productivity of communal farmers and create ample grazing space, the government recently acquired four farms in the Erongo, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions. The four farms, which have a combined size of 31 056.1198 hectares, will greatly expand the communal land boundaries of Otjimbingwe in the Erongo region, Aminuis...

Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku led a delegation from the Kavango West Regional Council and selected horticultural farmers on a one-day visit to Olushandja in the Omusati region.  This is where knowledge was shared on how to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience.  The visit, which was sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the...

After a prolonged hiatus, please allow me to welcome you all back to this highly informative and engaging platform, where we share notes and expertise on the various diseases and the latest developments in the world of animal health. Today, we will be touching on the highly infectious lumpy skin disease, which has raged local...

As the effects of climate change take course on farming, the farmer is left with difficult choices to make and does not have much time. Despite the obvious effects of climate change such as prolonged droughts, pests and diseases also seem to take advantage of the drastic changes in weather patterns. In fact, volatile weather...

Following the outbreak of the contagious Lumpy Skin disease in over nine regions, government, through the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), has since moved with great speed to vaccinate over 29 000 cattle.  Despite the ongoing efforts to immunise affected cattle as wide as possible, more than 443 cattle have died from the disease since...

A good rainy season should be perceived as starting at the anticipated time. It should be well-distributed throughout the season, and ultimately rehydrates the soil, refills water sources and revegetates the rangeland.  However, recent rainfall activities have been conspicuously erratic.  Their effects are a huge concern to farmers. Although rainfall brings relief to farmers, it...