Hannes and Rita Rossouw’s house sits on top of a red dune in the Kalahari, near Mariental in Namibia, where they have been farming for the past 56 years. The two-track road leading up to the homestead on the farm Sonop winds from the road to Stampriet, through and over the dune veld that used to be covered with grass patches and a wide variety of herbaceous shrubs and trees.
Now the dunes are empty, leaving the Rossouws victims of the latest drought, which started in 2012.
THE WORST IN A CENTURY
Namibia is currently experiencing its worst drought in 100 years, with reports indicating that, as of August this year, 84% of its food reserves had been exhausted. On 22 May 2024, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba declared a national state of emergency due to the ongoing drought.
In July, Farmer’s Weekly accompanied Henriette le Grange, national coordinator of the Namibia Drought Relief, and her husband Lourens on an animal feed distribution trip to Mariental, which included a visit the Rossouws.
According to Henriette, the severe drought in Namibia has developed into a humanitarian crisis that has left many farmers financially destitute, with many of them not able to put food on the table. The situation was caused not only by the drought, but also by extensive locust outbreaks and wide-ranging veld fires over the past 12 years
The western and southern parts of the country received virtually no rain and were particularly hard hit. She adds that some areas in the southern region had received far below the average annual rain for the past eight seasons. “It is our intention to assist these farmers and their families as far as we can, but for that to happen, we need the support of the public at large.”
LIVESTOCK CULL
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 22, 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 22, 2024 من Farmer's Weekly.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
