The drought relief programme that includes the distribution of food, seed, subsidies for fertilisers and grazing should continue "until such time the affected people are able to regain their normal livelihoods".

This is part of the recommendations contained in the just released Agricultural Input and Household Food Security Report by the National Early Warning and Food Information System (NEWFIU), in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. The government's drought relief programme was to end in March this year. A food assessment found that many households are without sufficient food, have lost huge numbers of their livestock, have insufficient seeds to plant this season and that surviving livestock are too weak to be used as draught animals in the crop fields.

The report, which is based on field visits to various areas across the country, noted that food security in the Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions "is worsening", while the situation in Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati is said to be "weakening".

A ground assessment by New Era confirmed the report's findings, with farmers still complaining of a lack of access to seeds, ploughing services as well as subsidies for grazing and households without sufficient food.

Councillor for Epukiro Constituency Ruth Mbura said some Epukiro farmers are still waiting for government to pay out subsidies to those who sold their animals. She said that while others received their money in cash, those who opted for bank transfers have been waiting since November last year to receive payment. Farmers in Epukiro and Aminuis constituencies, the two most devastated constituencies in the Omaheke Region, say their livestock continue to die in large numbers as very little rain was received. Farmers in the two constituencies have put the number of large livestock casualties at 200 in the last three months. There are no official figures available yet and New Era could not independently confirm the figures.

Councillor for Aminuis Constituency Erwin Uanguta estimated the rainfall in Aminuis at an average of 10 millilitres while Epukiro Regional Councillor Ruth Mbura said rainfall in Epukiro constituency was estimated at an average of about 50 millilitres. The rainfall estimates for the Onderombapa area are at average between 60 and 70 millilitres and in stark contrast to the close to 300 millimetres of rain reported in Otjinene constituency. "Now the rain is completely gone. We have a problem," said Mbura.

The report "strongly advised" that the ministry's Directorate of Extension and Engineering Services provide "timely support in the form of subsidies with agricultural inputs such as seed, fertilizers, draft animals, tractors, ploughing and weeding services."

"The country is still suffering from the effects of serious drought which started last season, affecting the agricultural production negatively. As a result, the household food security situation is fragile and weakening in the regions. Most households are reported to have finished their little last season's harvests between July and August this year and are currently dependent on the market and government drought relief food for food access. Last season's poor harvest has led to serious shortages of seed - both at individual farmer level and regional level. Poor grazing conditions were reported in the regions and the situation is exacerbated by a delay in the start of the rainfall. To this end, the majority of farmers are reported to have lost many of their livestock to drought. Water shortages for livestock due to drought conditions were also seen in most parts of the country," reads the report.

"The household food security situation in the Kavango East, Kavango West and Zambezi regions is tightening as most households interviewed in all the constituencies, with exception of Katima Urban, have indicated that they depleted their last season harvest last July. The majority of households are said to be dependent on the market and drought relief food for food access.

The food security situation in the Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati regions was noted to be weakening as most households interviewed have indicated that they have depleted their last season's harvest and are currently making use of the market and government drought relief food for food access," said the report.

"It is thus suggested that the drought relief food programme should continue especially to the most vulnerable groups affected by food deficits until such a time that the affected people are able to regain their normal livelihoods," reads one of the recommendations in the report.

Namibia has been experiencing one of the worst drought in 30 years, putting more than half of the population at risk of starvation.

Source - http://allafrica.com/