Victoria Kaapanda

Residents of northern Namibia were rejoicing over the first raindrops that fell last week. The rain brings hope to farmers who hoped for rain to fall and delayed ploughing their fields. Hilma Shikoyeni from Embandu village told New Era there is hope to plough this season. “I am informed that most of the towns and villages in the north also received showers,” said Shikoyeni.

She added it was only a few drops but it is a sign of hope to farmers. Uuvudhiya constituency councillor Timoteus Shivute said the rains are a relief for many farmers. “Now we have hope. I am sure if it rains again, there will be no more fear of drought,” he noted. Meanwhile, Hilma Petrus from Oshikuku said the rain received at the moment cannot yet make an impact.

“It has rained but it won’t make an impact; we hope it will continue for a little longer,” said Petrus. She further said the water currently flowing in the streams and rivers in the region is a bonus because the region does not have a water crisis.

“The rain brought a little sense of relief,” said Nangula Thomas from Oshakati. 

“Thank God; it is finally raining. This shows the Almighty has not forgotten us,” said Thomas. With the rains that fell over the past two days, communal farmers have thought of ploughing, although some are worried that the rain will not last and that their crops could die if the rain is not consistent over the coming weeks.

Farmers are also concerned that should the rain be short-lived, their seedlings will die; the ploughed land might dry up, putting added strain on the farmers to re-plough.

Although many communal farmers in previous years ploughed their fields in November already, some farmers said starting now would not hinder their harvest, provided the rain is sufficient.

- vkaapanda@nepc.com.na