By: Hertha Ekandjo
THE growing population of cattle in the Ohangwena region is becoming a burden to local farmers who continue to struggle to find suitable grazing areas amidst the prevailing drought conditions.
According to Ohangwena Regional governor, Walde Ndevashiya, these are some of the factors forcing Namibian cattle farmers to go look for grazing areas in Angola.
Ndevashiya made these remarks at a time when authorities in Angola announced that they will be ejecting hundreds of Namibian cattle farmers from the grazing fields of Oshimholo in the southern Cunene province.
Ohangwena has a cattle population estimated to be around 360 000, according to the latest cattle census.
The region is second only to Otjozondjupa, which has an estimated 495 000 cattle.
“If we look at the communal areas, there is not enough grazing area to accommodate all this cattle or the carrying capacity itself. Most land is either allocated with house states or for cultivation of mahangu,” said Ndevashiya.
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