State of rangeland remains below normal
Central dam levels steadily declining
The southern, central and western parts of Namibia are the most affected, and in many of these areas, dry conditions persisted for either the entire rainy season or for significant periods.
The state of rangeland in most parts of Namibia remained below average during April this year. According to ecologist Cornelis van der Waal from Agri-ecological Services, areas that are currently far below average include the Hardap, ||Karas and Erongo regions, as well as southern parts of the Omaheke, Oshana, and Omusati regions, and large parts of the Kunene Region.
He said that the remaining areas are moderately stressed except for average to above-average plant growth in parts of the Otjozondjupa and Kavango regions.
Dam levels in the central parts of Namibia are also low and steadily declining. According to the latest dam bulletin, the average dam levels in the central areas of Namibia are 54.6%, while last season they were 63.2%.
Dams that supply Windhoek with water are currently 52.2% full, compared to last year's 61.6%.
"Plant productivity in most of Namibia is currently below average. Southern, central and western parts are the most affected. In many of these areas, dry conditions persisted for either the entire rainy season or for significant periods, resulting in little forage accumulation," Van der Waal said.
Be proactive
Van der Waal warned that the rainy season is nearing its end, and proactive management actions should be planned and executed to minimise the risk of a dry-season forage deficit developing.
Management options to urgently consider or incentives from government and support organisations include taking stock of forage resources and animal numbers, marketing non-productive animals while body conditions are still acceptable, obtaining additional forage, supplements, or grazing land while these are still available and affordable, and investing in or mobilising technologies such as bush-to-feed machinery.
According to the Crop Prospects and Food Security Situation Report, recently issued by the agriculture ministry, most parts of the country reported distressed grazing conditions, which have largely been attributed to poor rainfall and dry spells that have dominated the 2022–2023 agricultural season.