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The Erongo region was once again severely affected by drought, with less than 100 mm of rainfall in the past rainy season.
This presents significant environmental challenges for the community.
Erongo State Governor Neville Andre recently said that “measures to mitigate the effects of the drought include support from government agencies, which have been helping affected communities.”
He added that despite this, the region still urgently needs sustainable solutions to adapt to and manage ongoing drought conditions.
He said government initiatives to support communities included schemes to help small-scale farmers.
Assistance provided
The National Horticulture Support Scheme provides horticulture inputs, implements, irrigation materials and tools to farmers at subsidized prices.
“A total of 75 farmers (30 women and 45 men) benefited from seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and irrigation materials in the 2023 fiscal year.”
Over 400 farmers (204 men and 197 women) have been trained in horticultural production at various agricultural centres in the region. A grant of N$ 600,000 has been allocated for the project.
“The programme is decentralized and is jointly managed by the Erongo Regional Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. A sum of N$700,000 has been allocated for this financial year,” he said.
Incentive Program
A total of N$630,000 was allocated for the Poultry Value Chain Development Programme, of which N$368,000 was spent. The remaining N$262,000 will be carried forward to the current financial year, for which an additional N$200,000 has been allocated, bringing the total available budget to N$462,000.
Several equipment were procured and made available for farmers’ use at various Agricultural Development Centres (ADCs) in the district in FY 2023. The equipment included 10 tractors and accompanying implements, 10 trailers, 10 mowers, 10 brush cutters and 10 rakes.
The sixth Cabinet Decision 2024/25 on the Erongo Region Drought Incentive Scheme reads as follows:
Since the livestock marketing incentive was introduced in April, 55 claims have been received from 39 men and 16 women at a cost of N$387,150.
Feed and lick subsidy from April to date: 37 applications were received for N$52,282.36.
Grazing and hired transport leases from April 2024 to date: Only three claims have been received to date.
Subsidized feeds delivered to ADCs since July: 4,400 cowpeas, 2,500 bales of grass, 88 litres of liquid molasses and 200 litres of molasses. These consignments are expected to be delivered to the respective ADCs in due course.
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