Otjombinde farmers tired of frequent quarantine

CHARLES TJATINDIFARMERS in the Otjombinde constituency of the Omaheke region are unhappy over the frequent restrictions to animal movements in the constituency, because such restrictions affect their farming activities.

The farmers, speaking in separate interviews on Sunday, said the restrictions enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry made it impossible for them to conduct their farming activities successfully.

According to the farmers, livestock ready to be sent to auction kraals are often left at home as the quarantine is enforced without prior warning.

The restrictions come into effect whenever a health threat is detected in the area, especially when animals from Botswana stray into the constituency.

The Otjombinde constituency borders Botswana on its southern and eastern side.

The Botswana district bordering Namibia has been proclaimed an area with a high presence of foot-and-mouth disease among animals, and any animal crossing into another district needs to be placed under quarantine initially.

The animals either stray into Namibia’s Otjombinde constituency because of weak fencing, or are at times driven in illegally by villagers, especially rustlers.

Farmer Dave Hangero conveyed the worries of most farmers in the area.

“Sometimes, when one wants to sell livestock and the quarantine comes into effect, you just sit and do nothing about it. At times when the quarantine is lifted, the prices would not be conducive for selling,” he stated.

Another farmer in the area, Nguvitjita Hambira, said the frequent animal movement restrictions, while being of benefit, in the end reduce their income from selling livestock.

“The problem is that these restrictions mostly come at wrong times, such as when you have to send children back to school at the start of a school term,” he said.

Joseph Hangara believes that the situation can be best addressed when villagers stop driving cattle illegally into the country from elsewhere.

“We are the masters of our destiny, as the saying goes. As such, we must teach our children to avoid becoming involved in these bad practices of illegally driving cattle in here. It kills our farming,” he noted.