October 19, 2007

 

Namibia's livestock succumbs to drought

 

 

Drought continues its adverse dry spell in Kunene region in Namibia as area becomes drier and farmers are losing cattle daily.

 

Farmers have already moved their weak cattle to Omusati region in an effort to rescue their livestock from the deadly heat that already killed 20 animals.

 

The Omakange area alone, which is more than 60 kilometres away from Opuwo town, is accommodating over 3000 cattle from Kunene north, which is the hardest hit in the region.

 

Communal farmers at Okatumba, Omileko, Omakange and Okambombona villages, where farmers have lost hope that their remaining cattle will survive if it does not rain any time soon.

 

Farmer Zemunikaije Muundjua at Okatumba village said the farmers are "mourning the loss of their livestock". Muundjua has lost many cattle but can only count eight whose carcasses he has seen. He said many others died in the bush while grazing.

 

At Omileko village, communal farmers said their livestock were dying in numbers.

 

Another farmer, Mujaukilo Tjihetekela said there has been no assistance in the form of fodder or lick, thus resulting to more deaths.

 

David Tjimhiva, headman of the Omakange area said so many farmers and their livestock have moved in such that the area can no longer accommodate any more cattle.

 

Some farmers who cannot be accommodated in Omakange are now moving into the Onganjera area, where grazing conditions are still good.

 

The drought has not only disrupted livestock activities but also schools, adult literacy classes and peoples' lives in general as farmers are also moving their families along with their cattle, according to farmer groups.

 

Rex Sheehama, secretary of Omakange Farmers' Association, said deep in the south and north of Opuwo, whole villages were empty.

 

Senior Agricultural Extension Technician in the Directorate of Engineering and Extension Services, Elly Ambata said cattle were dying not only of drought but also of rabies and botulism with the absence of rains.

 

The region compiled a report earlier this year alerting the Namibian government about the situation which needed urgent attention. In response, the government came up with assistance to subsidise the communal farmers with transporting their cattle to official quarantine facilities and registered abattoirs.

 

Although the scheme was implemented on August 1, communication to governors, regional councillors, deputy directors, extension services and chief agricultural extension officer was done on September 7.

 

Farmers both north and south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence can transport not less than 17 cattle or 80 small animals and only qualify for 120 cattle and 720 small stock or a combination of the two.

 

The Cabinet have rescued farmers by encouraging and supporting farmers to reduce livestock heads to minimise the casualties resulting from drought.

 

However, farmers feel that the assistance is not enough and is a little "too late" considering the animals are "not already in shape" that can be profitable.

 

The farmers say stockfeed prices have increased yet the cattle fetch poor prices.

 

However, the idea of selling cattle has bothered the Ovahimba community, who own the majority of cattle in the region. They say cattle have been their "inheritance" and would need the consent of the whole family to sell the animals.

 

Kunoua Muharukua whose family moved their animals from Orutjotombe to Okambombona village said cattle selling are necessary to purchase diesel to pay for the water the livestock use.

 

He said most of their cattle were cows, which is their breeding stock.

 

Most farmers said they wished the government could provide them with fodder, lick and enough boreholes from which their livestock can drink.

 

Even in Omakange where thousands of cattle were moved, most grazing areas have no water.

 

Ambata said it would be better for the government to assess the different needs of areas and come up with solutions.