Farmers’ unions welcome extension of claims deadline

Farmers unions have welcomed the government’s deadline extension for submitting livestock subsidy claims.

The executive director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, has announced that the deadline for submission of the claims had been extended to 30 April.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform through the Directorate of Agriculture Production Extension and Engineering Service wishes to inform all farmers across the country that the submission of subsidy claims for the livestock support programme for drought has been extended until 30 April 2025,” she says.

Farmers are, therefore, urged to submit all their outstanding claims for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 at their nearest agricultural extension office in their respective regions, she adds

The government provides a maximum subsidy of N$750 per large stock unit (cattle) to a maximum of 75 cattle, and N$150 per small stock unit – goats and sheep – to a maximum of 375 units or a combination of the two.

The maximum subsidy amount per farmer under the marketing incentive scheme will be N$56 250.

Namibia Agricultural Union spokesperson Tanja Dahl says the union is grateful for support given to farmers and producers, especially the extension for farmers that have not yet received rain or that do not have sufficient grazing.

“We sincerely hope that rainfall will continue to cover the country,” she says.

The interventions were instituted by the government after the country experienced its worst drought in 100 years, prompting president Nangolo Mbumba to declare a state of emergency and a nationwide drought relief programme with a budget of N$825 million.

The interventions include livestock marketing incentives, a subsidy for transportation of livestock to and from grazing areas, and a subsidy for the lease of grazing land, as well as a lick and fodder subsidy.

The government also implemented measures like loan restructuring and emergency funding for the agricultural sector.

Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers’ Union executive manager Daniel Mahua has expressed gratitude for the extension of the subsidy claim deadline and urges farmers to submit those outstanding claims alongside all the supporting documents.

“Every dollar counts even if it comes a bit late . . . better late than never,” he says.

He says there has been a lot of of hiccups and administrative or logistical challenges, most of which could have been avoided if the agriculture ministry had taken some of the advice from farmers seriously.

“The deadline extension will definitely make a difference for farmers who must also play their part and submit the documents,” he says.

– email: matthew@namibian.com.na