Windhoek
Mitigation measures for farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) as part of the government’s N$74 million drought relief programme will bring great relief.
Farmers who marketed livestock from March 1 this year may qualify for a livestock marketing incentive of N$ 400 per large livestock unit (cattle) for a maximum of 200 cattle and N$ 80.00 per small stock unit (goat, sheep) to a maximum of 1 000 small stock or a combination of the two. The Livestock Marketing Incentive Scheme will continue until the grazing conditions have recovered or the budget is exhausted, whichever comes first, Abraham Nehemia, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry says.
Farmers who bought livestock for farming, speculation and joint venture purposes from March 1 this year, with the exception of farmers who bought male breeding stock (bulls/rams), will be disqualified from the Livestock Marketing Incentive Scheme. This mitigation measure has been earmarked for farmers in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs). It is further intended to subsidise the transport cost to the nearest abattoirs i.e. Tsumkwe to Oshakati abattoir. The scheme will be implemented as from March 1 this year until the situation has normalised on the ground or until the budget is exhausted, whichever comes first. The Livestock Marketing Incentive Scheme is part of N$74 million allocated for Government’s Drought Relief Measures. According to the programme, affected farmers who want to lease emergency grazing will be assisted with: A subsidy of 50% of the kilometre tariff to a maximum of N$16.00 per/km for truck and N$4.00 per/km for LDV will be paid as transport subsidy to and from the emergency grazing areas.
The minimum load for trucks must consist of at least 17 large livestock units and/or 100 Small Stock Unit, while the maximum travelling distance to be subsidized will not exceed 500 km. A subsidy of 50% on the rent of livestock trailers carrying 8 LSU and/or 50 SSU. All farmers transporting animals to and from emergency grazing areas may qualify for this subsidy, provided that in the case of communal areas, a movement permit from DVS, written permission of the traditional leader as the lessor is annexed and in the commercial areas, an animal movement permit from Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), short-term lease agreement as well as a Cattle Movement Notice to be attached to the invoices supporting the claim. A dully filled and signed receipt/invoice should be attached to the transport claim, before it will be considered for payment.
Only trucks and trailers registered with NATIS will qualify.
Lease of Grazing:
All farmers who lease emergency grazing may qualify for this support, provided that in the case of communal areas, animal movement permit and Cattle Movement Notice from DVS, a written permission of the traditional leader as the lessor is annexed. For commercial areas an animal movement permit and Cattle Movement Notice from DVS, short term lease agreement between the lessor and lessee to be attached to the invoices supporting the claim. Farmers will be subsidised for 50% of the lease fee to a maximum of N$40.00 per head (LSU) per month for a maximum of 100 cattle.
In the case of small stock, 50% subsidy to a maximum of N$ 5.00 per small stock unit per month to a maximum of 500 small stock units per farmer will be paid.
Farmers qualify for either one of the two or a combination (LSU & SSU) of both as above.