Lifting of FMD Restrictions and Rain Welcomed by Some Farmers

Namibia has been receiving good rains the past weeks with rainfall ranging from 61.4mm in Windhoek, Katima Mulilo in the north 32.4mm, while at the coast, Henties Bay received 0.4mm of rain and the southern parts of the country ranging from 0.4 and 0.7mm. The Namibia Meteorological Service predicts that heavy falls are most likely in the far Northern regions with few thundershowers, but scattered thundershowers in the far North and extreme South-eastern regions, while the coast can also expect a few showers in the North and South.

Livestock and Crop farmers welcome the showers as most farmers whether crop or livestock suffered severe losses during the dry season. Farmers received more good news as the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry (MAWF) announced the lifting of restrictions for foot and mouth disease (FMD) in the Northern Communal areas of Namibia, meaning that the movement of animals, animal products and other materials within the FMD protection zone is allowed.

Spotlight News sat down with farmers Mr. Jackson Emvula in the Oshana region (livestock and crop), Gysbert van der Westhuizen, a Game farmer 120km South East of Windhoek and Leonard Kiaronguru livestock farmer in Otjituo.

LISTEN TO THE FARMERS BELOW:

https://soundcloud.com/99fm/spotlight-news-farmer-gysbert-van-der-westhuizen

https://soundcloud.com/99fm/spotlight-news-farmer-kiaronguru

https://soundcloud.com/99fm/spotlight-news-farmer-j-emvula