Namibian farmers call for a national State of Disaster

Namibia’s agricultural producers urgently called for the declaration of a national State of Disaster following the extended drought in the country. Namibian organised agricultural structures jointly petitioned Minister Calle Schlettwein, minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, at a recent meeting for such a declaration as the drought and the impact thereof on the country intensified.

“Although we are grateful for the rain received in parts of the country during the last two weeks, the impact of the drought conditions continues to intensify in certain areas. For this reason, all three unions teamed up to discuss proposals with the minister,” The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), Namibian National Farmers’ Union (NNFU) and the Namibian Emerging Commercial Farmers’ Union (NECFU) said in a joint statement.

Roelie Venter, CEO of the NAU, told Farmer’s Weekly at the time of going to print that no official decision regarding the matter had been yet announced. “Drought relief measures should commence as early as possible. Farmers on the Hardap Irrigation Scheme, for instance, are faced by critically low levels of the Hardap Dam and if it does not rain sufficiently, irrigation from the scheme will be stopped at the end of April,” he said.

Schlettwein was petitioned to see to it that drought relief measures included all regions of the country. The agricultural representatives also called for the implementation of Namibia’s Livestock Marketing Incentive, effective from 1 January 2024.

According to the organised agriculture structures, it was of utmost importance that core breeding herds be safeguarded through a state fodder support system. They also proposed a programme to ensure food security to all crop farmers affected by drought, as well as a special food and cash assistance scheme for affected employees of the Hardap Irrigation Scheme in case no inflow was received during the current rainy season.

The Namibian government was furthermore asked for support that would enable crop producers to plant crops again in the 2024/25 season. This included subsidised seed, fertiliser and fuel. The timeous payment of producers slaughtering at export abattoirs was also called for.

The minister established a joint committee to finalise proposals for cabinet’s consideration. –

SUPPLIED The Hardap Dam is critically low at the moment, impacting irrigation.