‘Empty Your Bank Account’
THE ‘sell your livestock’ appeal to farmers (in case our government leaders who are issuing that advice have not taken it to the logical conclusion) means in farmer language ‘empty your bank account/s’.
Try saying that to urban dwellers who prefer storing or even hoarding cash in bank accounts and the tone of the conversation will increase to the highest level of seriousness. Top government leaders have lately been calling on farmers to reduce their livestock because it has not rained and is unlikely to rain. Since the worst drought of 1992/3, that means most of 2013 and perhaps early 2014 will be the most difficult period in the lives of people who directly depend on farming and this can spill over to the general populace.
“All the weather signs are pointing to one direction and to some unavoidable truth: the rains up to now have not been good in all parts of the country,” Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa was quoted telling the Livestock Producers’ Forum earlier this month. Similar calls have been made to subsistence farmers in the country’s rural areas and this is the group most likely to bear the brunt of the impending drought.
Information is already coming through that there are low-intensity wars developing between farming communities in the rural areas over grazing and water. Don’t believe the rhetoric that the biggest land issue in Namibia is the fight between the former coloniser and the ‘previously disadvantaged’ because the ‘presently disadvantaged’ of all complexions have agreed on a pact to grab more land from the weak and vulnerable. (Excuse the digression).
The call to sell their livestock is likely to push subsistence farmers into a state of panic [as if it they are not already having sleepless nights] because the government has not given any indication it has some plan for the havoc that the drought is likely to cause. Mutorwa said President Pohamba has given his government apparatchiks instructions to prepare for the eventuality.
“Preparations and mechanisms should already be put in place, to have an appropriate and adequate national response that may and will emanate from the effects of inadequate rains in our country during the course of 2013,” said Mutorwa. Yet, there is no indication about what plans the government is considering for these extraordinarily difficult times.
Western nations are known to subsidise their farmers in good and bad times. African governments, whose people often suffer because of food shortages, don’t seem to take these situations seriously. And when the crisis hits, they are quick to call for Western countries’ support.
The government should not be surprised if farmers don’t sell because the message might simply not make sense. Sell your cattle, goats and sheep and then do what with the cash? How much money can one get anyway in a depressed market when everyone wants to get rid of their drought-stricken lean and weak livestock?
We trust the government leaders have learnt from their ineptitude of 1992 when a presidential aircraft costing tens of millions of dollars was bought while they went begging for drought relief aid from other countries.
Safe And Happy Easter
MANY Namibians are headed into happy mode because of a string of holidays that allow for quality time with family, friends, fauna, flora and the self. Disconcertingly, it is also a silly season when some get caught up in the euphoria of holidays and become reckless.
We appeal to reason and consideration for fellow citizens - treat them with humility and respect, allowing them to reach their destinations safely when they travel and to spend time with loved ones without the encumbrance of the anxiety caused by the thoughtlessness of other countrymen and women.
Happy and safe Easter.