Zambezi farmers relocate cattle

AS annual floods are fast approaching, many farmers in the Zambezi region are relocating their livestock to higher ground as grazing land gets submerged by floods.

The Zambezi water level currently stands at 1,69 metres and rising steadily. Kabbe North constituency councilor Bernard Sisamu who spoke to yesterday, said more floods are expected this year than experienced in previous years due to the recent heavy rains.

“In my constituency I have observed that many livestock famers are relocating their cattle. Those living in the flood-prone areas have not indicated yet if they will need assistance from the government, as many villages will be submerged or be cut off by floods.

“However, the government is ready to assist,” he said.

A farmer from higher ground in Kabbe North constituency Bernard Sibungo told The Namibian that when the flood season is over, he usually drives his livestock to flood plains due to poor grazing on higher ground.

“However, when it is flood season I bring them back to the higher ground again. This is a very costly practice every year but you have to adapt to such challenges as a farmer. I normally take two days to drive my cattle to the flood plains. We usually get transport ,for the calves and the workers belongings,” he said.

Another farmer Charles Siyauya, told The Namibian yesterday that he relocated his 55 head of cattle from Schuckmansburg to Bukalo area about 68 kilometres away.

“We had to drive two trips to transport calves, as we could not fit them in one load,” he said.

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