Elephants, predators cause havoc

ELLANIE SMITWINDHOEKThe Livestock Producers' Organisation (LPO) has urgently appealed to the agriculture ministry for intervention regarding predator and elephant problems farmers are facing.Regional representatives of the LPO gave feedback at their management meeting last week on production, diseases and marketing conditions in the various regions.According to the LPO, the reality on the ground is that elephant numbers are getting out of hand and the damage they and predators cause in large parts of the country is preventing the realisation of any vision of production increases for the livestock industry.It further said predators remain a nationwide problem and this, coupled with the occurrence of elephants in the northern commercial farming areas, is causing major financial losses for producers.Vultures also now contribute to livestock losses, while livestock and wildlife theft continue to be a headache. Not compatible“The LPO's point of view is clear: Livestock farming is not compatible with elephants. This will need to be addressed seriously along with predator problems,” it said.The LPO added that a locust plague in the Grootfontein area appears to be under control and is expected to reduce as the locust lifecycle is now coming to an end. However, caution should be exercised for reappearance of swarms in the new rainy season.Meanwhile, the executive council of the Namibia Agriculture Union (NAU) met for the first time last week since the coronavirus outbreak.The union said the economic decline of the past few years has received a further sting through the pandemic and is putting a lot of pressure on rural areas. Crime“From the problems the regions experience, it seems as if crime is the biggest one.”The union said social challenges, which are expected in the second half of this year, will increase these problems even more.The union further pointed out that the impact of the drought and the coronavirus has various commodities on their knees.“Milk production has decreased drastically, which puts challenges on the profitability of the whole milk value chain.”The NAU said competition from especially South African long-life milk is massive, and even though milk producers have requested a six-month subsidy from government, it has not been granted. Future bleakFurthermore, the futures of the Swakara, tourism and hunting industries is also bleak, the union said.“But there is also good news as agronomists in general received good rains, and good harvests are expected.“The coronavirus had a beneficial effect on the charcoal industry, as the demand from South Africa for charcoal during the lockdown period was high and there is an increase in the number of local factories in Namibia.”

Elephants, predators cause havoc

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Elephants, predators cause havoc

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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