OMUTHIYA – The ministry of agriculture has set aside N$44 million for the upcoming dryland cropping season, ministry spokesperson Simon Nghipandulwa has said.

He told Nampa the funds will be used for services such as the procurement of diesel and lubricants, subsidies for ploughing services and tractors, and payment for casual workers.

“We are fully-prepared with agricultural machinery and inputs for our farmers. We have 400 tractors ready, and we have hired 417 male and female farm machinery operators,” Nghipandulwa said.

He added that they have distributed 84 metric tonnes of maize seed, 10 metric tonnes of cow peas, and 74 metric tonnes of fertiliser to all regions, with an additional 234 metric tonnes of mahangu seed still to be delivered.

“We also have an extra 150 tractors and various implements to assist during the expected above-normal rainfall for this upcoming season,” said Nghipandulwa.

He further noted that the ministry is actively implementing drought relief initiatives, in particular livestock marketing incentives. 

So far, 4 398 claims amounting to N$22.7 million have been facilitated,  and will be disbursed to farmers in the current financial year.

“We will continue these efforts until the allocated funds are exhausted or grazing conditions improve,” he said.

In addition to crop and livestock support, the drought programme is also being implemented. 

The ministry has delivered the first shipment of fodder, and preparations are underway for the second phase of supplies to be delivered.

Nghipandulwa said the prolonged drought has resulted in abnormally dry conditions affecting most parts of the country, further leading to poor crop performances and reduced rangeland conditions.

“Some of the challenges we have noted are high costs of animal feed, and livestock deaths due to drought. Farmers must travel long distances to make partial payments for feed at the constituency level,” he said. -Nampa