By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, 16 December 2024 – The hopes of farmers in the Zambezi Region for a bumper harvest in 2024 are quickly fading. From late November to mid-December, the region has seen little meaningful rainfall, and the ongoing drought—now extending into its third consecutive year—has already caused significant financial losses. Crop and livestock farmers alike are suffering, with hundreds of cattle dying due to a lack of grazing land and water shortages.
Many livestock farmers in the Zambezi floodplains rely on the Zambezi River and its tributaries for water. Unfortunately, many of these tributaries have run dry since mid-2024, further threatening livestock, crop farming, and even fish farming.
Farmers had hoped for rainfall that would replenish the Zambezi River and its tributaries, but that hope is quickly fading. With no relief in sight, many fear this could be one of the worst droughts the region has faced.
The prolonged dry spells have led to severe consequences for Southern Africa, with crops scorched and food security threatened for millions of people. In 2024, the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured false-color images of the drought-stricken Zambezi River basin. The images clearly show the contrast between the arid land (tan or brown) and the dwindling water (blue), highlighting the dire situation.
Livestock farmers are feeling the financial strain. The floodplains in the Zambezi Region are home to 85% of the region’s livestock. Many farmers have already lost hundreds of cattle to the persistent droughts, which have now continued for more than two years. Godfrey Simataa, a small-scale livestock farmer, shared with Namibia Daily News that he has lost more than 37 cattle this year alone due to the prolonged dry conditions. “I had hoped this year would be better, but it looks like the worst is yet to come,” he said. “As we approach the new year, grazing land remains a problem, and even the government won’t be able to assist every farmer.”
Faced with this harsh reality, many livestock farmers are contemplating selling some of their animals to minimize financial losses. The costs of buying feed have skyrocketed as grazing land becomes increasingly scarce.- Namibia Daily News
