GELLAP-OST – Twenty-two farmers in the Hardap and //Kharas regions last week received hydroponic greenhouse structures under the emergency livelihood support to drought-affected communities in Namibia project.

The project was launched in February this year and is a joint effort between the government and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), funded by the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.

Speaking at the official handing over at the Gellap-Ost Research Station, FAO representative to Namibia Farayi Zimudzi said the project is meant to assist drought-affected livestock farmers through the provision of supplementary feeding.

This is done by setting up hydroponic fodder production systems and availing veterinary supplies that target the remaining core breeding flocks for targeted households in seven regions.

The regions are Hardap, //Kharas, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kunene, Erongo and Omaheke.
Zimudzi encouraged the beneficiaries to make efforts to sustain the production of fodder for the benefit of their livestock for years to come.

“The greenhouse fodder production we are handing over will benefit thousands of targeted households in communities across the selected regions for a long time as they will serve as sustainable means for farmers to provide their livestock with feed,” she said.

//Kharas governor Aletha Fredericks urged the beneficiaries to pass on the knowledge to other farmers for them to also adapt the technology and improve their livelihood.
“ Do not keep the knowledge to yourself share it with others. To the ministry, please make sure there are regular visits and assistance is given to the farmers so that this project yields the desired results,” said Fredericks.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, the regional chairperson of the Southern Namibia Farmers Union Maria April thanked all stakeholders and said the project will help farmers recover from the drought.

“The beneficiaries are set to share the knowledge they have acquired with other farmers to make this project a success. Farming with livestock and crop are the backbone of the Namibian economy, especially in the south,” she said.

The beneficiaries received greenhouse fodder production structures, barley seeds, cooler boxes and syringes.

The ministry of agriculture will offer basic training on administering medicines and feeding livestock.

The original lifespan of the project was six months from January this year, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project was extended to October 2020. – Nampa