Namibia must jealously guard its disease-free livestock zones to protect the country's agricultural economy.
This is the view of the Deputy Executive Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) Kingsley Kwenani.
Farmers in the Zambezi Region have commended the University of Namibia (UNAM) for organising a community-based engagement aimed at equipping farmers with modern and practical knowledge to improve their livestock productivity.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Omaheke Region is a strategic hub for cattle farming and serves as a major economic driver for both the local economy and Namibia's trading relations within markets abroad.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Inge Zaamwani, has applauded the Otjombinde farming communities for breeding quality livestock despite various challenges faced by the sector, such as climatic pattern changes, bush encroachment and the unstable market, amongst others.
The Livestock and Livestock Products Board is urging livestock producers and stakeholders to take proactive measures to protect the foot and mouth disease-free zone.
A farmer in the Okorukambe Constituency, Republic Ngahahe, is facing eviction from Farm Ozombahe, as he is not from the area.
Farm Ozombahe belongs to the residents of Omitara; however, Ngahahe, a native of the Otjinene Constituency, spent three years there.
Farmers in Otjinene have received a much-needed boost to support their livestock and livelihoods after the Otjinene Constituency Office, through the Farmers Support Programme, donated 150 goats to local farmers.
Erongo Governor Neville Andre says the region continues to suffer from one of the most devastating droughts in recent years.
The residents and livestock in some parts of the Omaheke Region now have hope thanks to the rain.
The headman of Otjomboora Village, Gift Tjirunga, stated that if it weren't for the recent good rainfall received leading up to Christmas, most of their livestock could be dead by now.
The Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform Ministry has acquired critical livestock handling infrastructure to improve the beef value chain in the northern communal areas.
