Staff Reporter
THE Oponona Lake, which was once a vital water resource for cattle farmers, has now been deserted due to its complete dryness caused by the ongoing drought. The drought has tightened its grip on various regions of the country, leading the government to extend its drought relief efforts to the Omusati Region.
Vice President Nangolo Mbumba recently visited Oponona Lake, as well as the Ombonde-Omapale water booster and underground reservoir located in the Ompundja Constituency of the Oshana Region. The government constructed the 2,440-cubic-meter water reservoir at a cost of N$23 million in 2019, and it has successfully mitigated water scarcity issues in three constituencies in the area.
During his visit to Oponona Natural Lake, which traditionally provided water to thousands of livestock in the Uuvudhiya Constituency, Vice President Mbumba emphasized the need for technical solutions to address the prevailing water crisis. He acknowledged the challenges faced by Namibia in managing the country’s diverse regions, noting the significant differences in climatic conditions between areas. Mbumba stressed the importance of well-organized scientific and technical approaches, stating, “This type of problem will not be solved with a hoe and shovel.”
The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) also covered the Vice President’s visit. According to the NBC, Mbumba concluded his trip with a meeting with farmers in Engombe.
Jason Emvula, President of the Namibia National Farmers Union, drew attention to the devastating impact of the 2018-2019 drought on livestock in the northern regions. During that period, the number of cattle north of the red line decreased from 1.7 million to the current figure of 1.2 million. Insufficient rainfall this year has once again led to a drought, posing a threat to livestock due to insufficient grazing.
Emvula urged the government to support farmers in establishing beef canning facilities, which would enable the exportation of Namibian beef to international markets.
