WINDHOEK, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Namibian livestock farmers who were left counting losses following persistent droughts which resulted in more than 100,000 head of cattle dying over a period of three years are now turning to hydroponic fodder production to supplement pastures for their livestock.
Some farmers in the desert-dominated country now believe hydroponic fodder production could be a long lasting solution to the production of animal feed to avert constant shortages of pastures in different regions which are prone to severe drought conditions because of unpredictable natural rainfall patterns.
The hydroponic fodder production projects are well supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Namibian government.
Minister of Information and Communication Technologies and cabinet spokesperson Peya Mushelenga said Namibia's cabinet has thrown its support to fodder production at a large scale as a viable supplement for depleted pastures for farmers primarily in dry regions of the country where livestock farmers are heavily affected by drought.
"The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform in conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has also introduced the project known as emergency livelihood support to drought-affected communities in Namibia, to assist farmers to maintain their core breeding stock. The project supported 3,343 livestock dependent small holder farming households," he said.
Mushelenga said the Namibian cabinet has resolved to continue supporting fodder production to help farmers preserve their livestock from starvation.
FAO has also released its latest bulletin showing that the organization has established 79 greenhouse hydroponic fodder production systems across seven regions in Namibia in the past few years through a partnership with farmers and the country's Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform.
"The fodder takes around six to seven days to grow, with one kilogram of fodder requiring about three to four liters of water," FAO said in the bulletin.
According to FAO, Namibian farmers have been arranged in groups of 50 living near each greenhouse and are encouraged to work together as part of the production project.
"Everyone participates in the production of the fodder, from preparing barley seeds to watering and harvesting the plants, and they agree amongst themselves how to share the products. In this way, all farmers get a feel for the technology, gaining the knowledge and experience to continue it in the future," FAO said in the bulletin.
Agnes Tengovandu-Tjindo, 36 and from Namibia's central north Otjozondjupa region, who is also venturing in the hydroponic fodder production, said the opportunity to produce fodder for her own livestock and also the market has been a life changing experience financially.
"I lost a great number of my livestock and was left with only a few cattle and goats that I was also struggling to keep alive," she said.
After participating in the project, Agnes said proudly that her community has taken full ownership of the greenhouse, and that it has become an integral part of their survival.
The hydroponic fodder project is helping the southwest African country recover from its worst droughts in recent history which it experienced in the 2019/2020 farming season, according to FAO. Enditem