The recurring drought conditions affecting the country were exacerbated during 2016 by one of the strongest El Niño episodes on record. The severe drought conditions resulted in widespread crop failure during the main 2015/16 agricultural season. According to the Crop Assessment Report produced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), there was a decrease of 62 percent in the production of maize and a 39 percent decrease in the production of Mahangu as compared to the average of the previous five years. In addition, water scarcity, increased disease incidence, inadequate pastures and extremely poor rangeland conditions, heavily impacted the livestock sector through loss of physical condition, with many farmers reporting livestock mortalities and reduced livestock productivity. High food prices, declining livestock prices, leading to poor terms of trade for livestock keepers, have also worsened the situation.

On February 14^th 2017, the FAO Representative (FAOR) to Namibia, Mr. Babagana Ahmadu on behalf of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and in response to the request from the Government of the Republic of Namibia, handed over livestock fodder to communities affected by the El Nino-induced drought in Omaruru, Erongo Region.  During the handing over ceremony, the FAOR highlighted the need of the fodder as follow, “Even though we have started witnessing some showers at places, grazing condition remains generally poor especially in the worst affected areas. In fact, hearing from our colleagues on the ground, and as we drove this morning to Omaruru, one could still see some bare patches, with vegetation still struggling to regenerate.”

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials and the inhabitants of Omaruru and nearby towns and villages.  During the event, the Governor of the Erongo Region, Hon. Cleophas Mutjavikua said Namibia is no exception just like the neighbouring countries that are experiencing a widespread drought that has severely affected food security and livelihoods for rural communities.

“The Erongo Region is among the worst drought-affected regions of the country. According to the latest data, farmers in Spitzkoppe and Otjimbingwe lost 700 heads of cattle, while since January Uis farmers lost some 500 cattle to the drought. Okombahe farmers are said to have lost 600 cattle, while the Topnaar community on the outskirts of Walvis Bay lost 200 cattle, which set the already poverty-stricken community back by some N$910 600 in-lost income”, he added.