Namibia unveils program to help drought affected farmers

Namibia has launched a program to provide farmers affected by drought with subsidized production inputs and services.

In a statement seen by Xinhua Tuesday, Minister of Agriculture John Mutorwa said the Dry land Crop Production Program aims to help the farmers counter and reverse land degradation and adapt to climate change through the adoption of conservation agriculture.

Conservation agriculture serves as a basis for sustainable crop production and improved food security at both national and farm levels, said the statement.

The statement said the program is being implemented in the crop growing regions of Zambezi, Kavango West, Kavango East, Oshikoto, Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati, Kunene (northern part), Omaheke and Otjozondjupa.

"By adopting sustainable agricultural practices tailored to local contexts, our farmers especially the smallholders can make considerable productivity and income gains," the minister said in the statement.

He said adaptation strategies such as these are vital to combating poverty and hunger in a changing climate.

According to Mutorwa, about 729,000 people in the rural area have been affected by this drought, which accounts for about 57 percent of the rural population.

In line with those figures, the ministry saw the need to device appropriate strategies which can enhance and ensure that agricultural activities are not heavily hampered by drought, the statement added. Endit