By Kuvee Kangueehi
Windhoek
The Government is taking steps to address the negative effects of drought in the country as the driest period of the year approaches.
Following a recent cabinet meeting, which reviewed a report on the drought situation, the Government has recommended several measures to be taken, the Minister Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Nickey Iyambo, announced yesterday.
Iyambo said the report looked at the agro-pastoral situation, livestock grazing and the water situation and recommended that the Government encourage and support farmers to reduce the number of livestock so as to minimise the risk of them starving.
The Minister announced that farmers south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence would receive a 50 percent subsidy on the relocation of their animals to new grazing areas.
The Government would also provide farmers north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence a 50 percent subsidy for the transportation of their animals from official quarantine camps to registered abattoirs.
He also said the Government through his ministry would, where possible, support the needs of communities with water and other support measures during the process.
The Emergency Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister would deal with food assistance to the vulnerable groups to avoid any loss of life, the Minister said.
An earlier drought assessment report indicated that compared to the 2005/6 farming season, production for 2006/7 is lower by 40 percent.
Namibia’s green belt area – the principal communal crop growing regions of Caprivi, Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana and Oshikoto regions – has suffered poor harvests due to poor rains, prolonged dry spells, high temperatures and an outbreak of pests such as the red-bellied quelea birds, at critical stages of crop development. The pests reduced the yields by 10 percent
The regions worst hit by drought are the entire Kunene and Karas and greater parts of the Erongo, Oshana, northern Oshikoto and the Eastern Omaheke areas. The rest of the regions have portions that are hit by drought.
The Government has released N$20 million for drought relief in affected areas.