Drought-hit farmers scrape for aid

Farmers are on their knees due to the severe drought, with livestock and wildlife deaths being reported nationwide due to a serious lack of pasture and a livestock feed import crisis."The need is high. My heart is breaking. The big problem is, the drought is all over the country," Henriette Le Grange of Drought Relief Namibia said.She added that farmers are still sending her application forms for drought aid, even though the organisation’s funds were already exhausted in mid-June. "There are about 200 farmers who have not yet been helped". This is according to application forms she received by the end of June. "Initially, I said let's stop on 15 June, because by then a N$1 million donation from FNB Namibia was depleted. I still ordered fodder with which we could help the last farmers until the end of June, but after that, we could no longer help," she said."The last farmers, we could only help them with 20 bales. In the beginning, we were able to help with 30 bales and in smaller areas with 40 bales."DiscouragedLe Grange said the last feed donation was given to farmers from the Keetmanshoop area, while she also sent some feed to Grünau."We help regions, not individuals because before, some people, when they got the lucerne, they sold it. "There are days when I get very discouraged. I drive around a lot and you don't see grass. It's just red soil. There are a handful of farmers who were able to look after their fields," she said, highlighting the massive need. She added that the rainy season is still a long way off. Le Grange said the drought is widespread, extending to all corners of the country."Grootfontein and Gobabis, which usually got good rain, are now experiencing drought with some farmers at Gobabis having only had 15 millimetres of rain." She described the situation in Aminuis, Gochas and Stampriet as sad. "When we drove to Stampriet, when you open a farm gate, there’s a dead sheep or just bones. The wildlife dies just like that, and it's 10 times worse now. It’s heartbreaking. I don't know if members of the public really know what an animal looks like when it starves to death - it’s terrible to witness."Feed crisisLe Grange said the critically low levels of the Hardap Dam are a major setback for irrigation farmers and their lucerne production. The Hardap Dam is now only 9.8% full, compared to last year's level of 34.1%."You can't find lucerne anywhere, there is nothing. I can't help anyone. It's a struggle to import feed, and buying buy regular feed is incredibly expensive."Regarding the government's drought aid for fodder, Le Grange is grateful, but added that it is not sufficient."Every little bit helps. Any farmer can collect his 10 bales of grass or lucerne. With the state, it doesn't matter if you have one or 100 animals, you can only get 10 bales. If you are quite far from town, it becomes too expensive to drive for 10 bales," she explained.Le Grange advised the government to enter into a feedlot agreement and support feedlots with feed.The agriculture ministry is now offering special prices on subsidised fodder and molasses at agricultural development centres. Lucerne bales are for sale at N$100 each, grass bales at N$70 each, 40 kilograms of molasses meal at N$110 and 25 kilograms of molasses syrup at N$120. The ministry has warned that prior verification with the necessary documents is a requirement before payment can be made. "No refunds will be given,” it added. The scheme applies to livestock producers in all 14 regions.Online auctionMeanwhile, Drought Relief Namibia is once again hosting an online drought relief auction through jugglebee.com on 19 August to support farmers in need.Le Grange said it is a safer option, adding that jugglebee.com does not charge them any commissionThe organisation also helps farmers with medical needs and their children with school fees."We need N$800 000 for three farmers who have to undergo major operations after six farmers applied. Another N$200 000 in school fees is outstanding, after we already paid N$200 000." - francoise@nmh.com.na

Drought-hit farmers scrape for aid

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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Drought-hit farmers scrape for aid

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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