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The Otjimbingwe Farmers Association is calling on the office of the Erongo Governor to extend the settlement's boundaries. They say the lack of land threatens their livelihood and that of future generations.

The association demands that the ownership of Farm Neu-Schwaben and Unit B be transferred to the Otjimbingwe Farmers Association so that it might be used as a conservancy for the benefit of the settlement community.

They say the increase in the farming population as a result of migration from other regions puts pressure on the already strained environment.

They note that overcrowding frequently results in conflict and competition over scarce resources between farmers, including grazing land and water resources for livestock.

They further say the introduction of a rule that allows for 20 square metres per household limits their opportunities for growth and development.

Additionally, farmers cannot apply for conservancy funds due to limited grazing land.

"To postpone the Neu-Schwaben resettlement procedure allocation until we have finished talking with the Minister of Agriculture. 2. To transfer ownership of Farm Neu-Schwaben's Unit B to the Otjimbingwe Farmers Association so that it might be used as a conservancy for the benefit of the Otjimbingwe community. 3. To enlarge the village boundaries by giving the village of Otjimbingwe Unit A of farm Neu-Schwaben. To consider expanding Otjimbingwe and the border in the future to provide farmers with greater grazing land and water supplies," said Clemence Hinanifa, Chairperson of the Otjimbingwe Farmers Association.

The governor's representative, Annelie Tjimbandi, received the petition and promised to forward it to the relevant authority.

Otjimbingwe is a settlement in the Erongo Region, situated about 60 kilometres from Karibrib.

It has approximately 8,000 inhabitants.

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Photo Credits
The Namibian

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Author
Stefan |Uirab