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Farmers urged to reduce stock

Farmers will be encouraged to do away with some of their livestock following Cabinet’s decision earlier this week to instruct the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to implement two schemes designed to mitigate the impact of the drought.

The ministry will start immediately with the implementation of the Livestock Marketing Incentive Scheme as well as the Lease of Grazing and Transport Scheme, to assist farmers to reduce their livestock before the difficult months of August, September and October.
“Due to the prevailing drought which has severely affected most parts of Namibia this year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has advised farmers who do not have enough grazing for their animals to sell their livestock while these animals are still in good condition in order to avoid serious losses as the effects of the drought continue” the ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday. The acting Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Abraham Nehemia said, “selling animals in good condition means receiving optimum prices for them. Therefore, all the farmers are strongly advised to destock as soon as possible in order to safeguard their livelihoods.”
“The farmers who heed the ministry’s advice to destock in a bid to mitigate the effects of the drought will be able to participate and benefit from the Livestock Marketing Incentive Scheme,” he added. According to the ministry, in order to benefit from this scheme farmers are requested to keep the necessary documents upon destocking in line with the requirements of the scheme. These documents include sales summary or sales statement and certified copies of the animal movement permits together with the movement records attached thereto.
The documents which the farmers have to provide in order to participate in the Lease of Grazing and Transport Subsidy Scheme include, short-term lease agreement for grazing, proof of lease of grazing payments, proof of payment of transport fees and certified copies of the animal movement permits together with the movement records attached.

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