'Declare drought a national disaster'
Agricultural unions visit Schlettwein
Malawi is the first Southern African country to declare the drought a disaster, followed by Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Three Namibian agricultural unions made an urgent appeal to President Nangolo Mbuma to declare the drought of 2024 a state of emergency."Although farmers are grateful for rains received in certain areas of the country, increasing drought conditions require a review of previous drought policies and strategies," the Namibia Agricultural Union (NLU), the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) and the Namibian Emerging Commercial Farmers Association (Necfu) said.
The three unions teamed up and their representatives paid a visit to the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Calle Schlettwein, on Thursday to discuss proposals about the issue with him.
He welcomed the unions' joint proposals and set up a working committee that would finalise a cabinet submission.
The discussions included, among other things, that drought relief measures be implemented as early as possible within a year of a disaster, include all regions, and be available throughout the year.
The unions also asked that the livestock marketing incentive be implemented effective from 1 January 2024 and not only during the remaining part of the year.
"Normal breeding herds must be protected by the provision of feed and the condition of lean cattle and sheep must be improved to supply all export slaughterhouses with animals that are ready for slaughter for high-value markets."
The unions also demand prompt payment to livestock producers who slaughter at export abattoirs.
"Additional funds from the Emergency Drought Relief Fund are needed to create opportunities that contribute to value addition within the beef sector, as well as additional slaughter capacity at
export abattoirs of 30 000 to 40 000 cattle."
The unions believe that all sectors related to livestock, including dairy, swakara and other livestock production sectors should be included in the drought assistance scheme to help protect these industries.
Crop production
As regards the possible cessation of irrigation schemes due to low dam levels, there is particular concern about the Hardap and the Etaka dams which will negatively affect socio-economic conditions in the Hardap and Oshana region.
The unions are asking for a special programme to ensure staple food security, which must apply to all seed farmers affected by the drought.
This includes a special food and cash assistance scheme for Etaka farmers and Hardap irrigation employees, if there is not sufficient inflow during the current rainy season.
The unions are calling for support that will enable crop producers to plant crops again in the 2024-25 season with subsidised seed, fertilizer and fuel.
Furthermore, the unions request that Agribank makes payment holidays available to all farmers who have loans from this bank, which will also apply to all products. Alternatively, the subsidisation of interest should be put in place.
Well-known agricultural expert Wallie Roux agrees that the drought should be declared a state of emergency.
"The recent rains are welcomed, but it is patchy. Furthermore, the current rains came too late. Although, it should give the veld an early boost from September," he told NMH.
Malawi is the first Southern African country to declare the drought a state of emergency, followed by Zambia and Zimbabwe. – [email protected]