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...
Namibia’s agricultural sector is set to make history by harvesting its first-ever locally-grown bananas in the months of June, July and August this year, which will mark a huge turnaround for the country’s import-dependent sector. As it currently stands, Namibia imports close to 7 000 tonnes of bananas valued at over N$65 million annually from...
OKANDJIRA – In 2017, young farmer Tjivii Tjombe was faced with two options – to quit his job and vigorously pursue his love for farming, or sit back and watch his dream and passion for farming die a natural death. It was not an easy decision, as he was faced with the frightening reality of...
Hanks Saisai The recent outbreak of Fall Armyworms across Namibia’s north-eastern Zambezi region poses a significant threat to local food security. Pest outbreaks are usually a crop farmer’s worst nightmare due to the associated negative effects such as crop failure, financial losses, food shortages and dwindling local economic activities in such regions. Several factors must...
Many times, I am confronted by the age-old question of whether there is really much money in farming. Most importantly, should one quit a job to start farming? Well, my philosophy has always been “Don’t quit your job to start a business, start a business to quit your job…” But then again, each situation is...