Beserba District Communal Farmers in the ||Kharas region are appealing to the government for food aid, as the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) restrictions left them without the income they generate from selling their livestock.
They made the call during an NBC News interview in Keetmanshoop.
Since the introduction of FMD-related livestock movement restrictions in September, communal farmers have said they have been struggling to make ends meet as farming remains their main source of income and livelihood.
Josephina Kupuka says the reality is bleak, particularly for communal farmers and new farmers, and believes the government can do more to provide some form of relief.
"The government should at least help us with some maize meal and rice. What are we supposed to do when we still have to pay for our policies and water? We should at least be given rice and maize meals. I still have to pay the herder on my farm; what am I supposed to eat? Is this disease still going to continue into December? What happens then?"
Kapuka says the social grants they received from the government are not enough to meet the basic needs and added that she fears that prolonged FMD restrictions and loss of income could worsen food insecurity.
"If this situation becomes worse, hunger will also increase. People may start stealing each other's livestock, and things could become even worse. Unemployment is already an issue."
Emerging farmer Lizza Frederick echoed similar sentiments.
"At least the government should consider providing us with N$500 just as they did during the Covid-19 pandemic because we have school-going children to support. I have one child in grade 12 and another in grade 1. I also have a herder on the farm who looks after the livestock, and I also have a herder on the farm who looks after my livestock, and I have to make sure he is also taken care of. What should I do now?"
Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Romeo Muyunda said they understand and sympathise with farmers experiencing financial losses as a result of the FMD outbreak and recognises the significant impact that the disease has on farmers livelihoods and the broader livestock industry.
However, the ministry is looking at all options, and owing to limited resources availed to it, it is prioritising containment and vaccinations in the affected areas, and this has placed an enormous burden on already limited resources.
He added they are exploring all options and engaging with stakeholders to see how best they can expedite the road to recovery so that we can open up trading in livestock products under strict standard operating procedures as determined by the competent authority.
He further said the Ministry remains focused on implementing and strengthening disease control measures aimed at containing the outbreak, preventing further spread and restoring normal livestock activities as soon as possible.