Zebaldt Ngaruka
EPUKIRO – The Eastern Epukiro Farmers Association (EEFA) on Friday held a drought survey at Okovimburu’s Tjiri Lodge in the Omaheke region to assist farmers during droughts in this constituency.
The current drought situation in the country requires genuine ideas and support from various stakeholders that will be beneficial to the farming community.
EEFA’s chief marketing officer, Kauetu Seun Murangi, told New Era’s AgriToday that the purpose of the gathering was to investigate the current and future droughts which affect the farmers in the constituency. “It is not a secret that drought is here, and we as farmers’ associations cannot sit idle. We have to engage our farmers and stakeholders to seek solutions,” he noted.
Murangi postulated that in times like this, endless efforts are needed to rescue farmers against the calamity.
“We invited representatives from all villages here to investigate, seek solutions and advise farmers on how to survive the current drought and future ones as well,” he added. The association invited experts from Meatco, Agribank and Feedmaster, who presented the possibilities farmers can consider to get through the drought.
At the synopsis meeting, a committee was set up to research crop production, government subsidies and carnivores, grazing and forestry, water provision, and livestock conditions and diseases.
“These were implemented in order to find out challenges and possible solutions,” Murangi stated.
Waterpoint Committee representatives were also requested to provide records of the number of livestock in villages.
“This will also help us in our synopsis, as we will know how many died as a result of drought. We likewise asked them to record the rain figures in their respective settlements,” elaborated Murangi.
Amongst the attendees was renowned Otjijarua farmer Akim Ngupahua, who said the gathering was necessary and spoke the language of farmers.
Ngupahua, who is also a senior traditional councillor, said
farmers need education and information to improve their productivity.
“EEFA’s efforts are clear. We farmers must cooperate, and look for measures to save our livestock. Drought requires us to work together”, he stressed.
The traditional councillor further called on the directorate of forestry in the constituency to put clear measures in place to allow farmers to benefit.
“Farmers may sell wood and charcoal to supplement animal feeds. The grass will grow when forests are cleared, which will be beneficial for livestock to feed on,” Ngupahua said.
On her part, Kalkpan settlement representative Erika Inaaviposa Kazapua viewed the gathering as very important.
“Amongst others, I learned about the equipment to use when making fodder for livestock, and the importance of clearing forests to make room for grass to grow,” she observed. Also in attendance was constituency councillor Pineal Packey Pakarae, Traditional Authority councillors, Community Anti-Stocktheft Organisations, Omaheke Regional Farmers Union and representatives from the constituency’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Division of Veterinary Services, who also presented various topics to the farmers.
The findings of the research are expected to be presented to the line ministry and various stakeholders after all villages submit their inputs to EEFA within two weeks.