Erongo Governor Neville Andre says the government has implemented drought-resilient programmes, assisting over 700 affected farmers in the region in 2023.

In his 4th State of the Region Address, Andre highlighted the negative impact that yet another drought has had on the communities.

"This has led to big challenges for both communities and the environment. Water sources have diminished, placing immense strain on agriculture and livestock. The lack of rainfall has caused crop failures, reduced grazing lands, and threatened food security."

Andre says that because the region faces continuous drought, there is an urgent need for sustainable solutions to adapt to the climate conditions.

More than five programmes were therefore implemented in 2023 to ensure a resilient agricultural sector.

The Small Stock Development and Distribution Programme, where 20 vulnerable farmers in the Daures and Karibib constituencies received goats and sheep as breeding stock, is another programme.

The National Horticultural Support Programme, aimed at addressing household food security, was also implemented.

"A total of 75 farmers benefited from seeds, pesticides, fertilisers, and irrigation material. A total of 401 farmers were trained in horticultural production throughout the region at various agricultural centres. An amount of N$600,000 has been allocated, of which all has been spent on the project. The Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme is another programme aimed at assisting small-scale poultry producers to join the main economic stream of businesses, address household food security, and help reduce poverty among the rural poor."

With an allocated amount of N$630,000, Andre noted that 51 farmers from all over the region were given poultry husbandry training.

The Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme was another initiative aimed at household food security, and 149 farmers were trained in climate-smart agricultural techniques.