President Nangolo Mbumba engaged traditional leaders of the eight northern traditional authorities at Oshakati this morning.
The aim was to familiarise himself with traditional leaders, inform them officially that he had taken office as Head of State, and seek their blessings.
Zambezi Region Governor, Alufea Sampofu, says despite below-average rainfall received in the region compared to previous years, there is a need to cultivate as many crop fields as possible.
Sampofu encourages all residents to ensure they put bread on the tables of their families.
The Zambezi Governor called on those living in the flood plains, especially in Kabbe South and North constituencies, to be on alert for annual floods.
He observed that, as the levels of the Zambezi River start to rise, people ensure they are not caught off guard.
A severe drought is looming in the Otamanzi Constituency of the Omusati Region due to the poor rainfall received in the area this year.
The silos of many subsistence farmers are empty, and their only hope is drought-relief food for both humans and animals.
The devastating sight is evident as most mahangu crops have wilted, leaving no hope for any harvest in the area.
The crops have dried up at the infancy stage, leaving farmers distressed that all the money and efforts spent on production have gone to waste.
Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala says the poor rainfall experienced in the region has become worrisome for both crop and livestock farmers.
The situation, he says, has resulted in many northern communal farmers losing any hope for a bumper harvest this year.
The Omusati Governor says poor rainfall has left many communal farmers in ruin, especially those in western areas of the region.
According to Endjala, the area has not received significant rain since February 1st.
Farmers in the Oshana Region are worried about food insecurity because some areas of the region are still flooded and crops have been submerged by water.
The opposite is that crops in some fields have begun to wilt due to insufficient rain.
It is a bitter blow for farmers at Onaushe village in Uuvudhiya Constituency.
This is the second year in a row that they have not received sufficient rainfall.
Some farmers at Onaushe are yet to see their crops germinate because they planted too late.
Some areas in the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions have started to receive rainfall as of late January.
However, most farming communities are of the opinion that they are hoping to record above-average rainfall as grazing land has been in a deplorable state.
nbc News team talked to some farmers in communal areas to hear about rainfall patterns in their areas.
A seasonal farmer at Otjombinde Nokia Hange is worried as up to now not enough rainfall was received in the village.
