The Oshana Region, which is among the flooded regions in northern Namibia, is plagued with severe shortage of grazing land and waterborne diseases attacking livestock since the start of the floods early January.
“This has now resulted in livestock overcrowding in highland as all farmers are flocking there. This however should be a lesson to farmers not to wait for calamities to happen, rather they should now start planting pastures when water subside to preserve for future. Another way is to store fodder for any eventualities,” Scientific Officer for Pasture and Grazing Management Erick Shiningayamwe said during a flood update.
He adds that the region is now faced with a critical shortage of grazing areas due to the vast land that is submerged by the floodwaters.
“Once the grass is submerged it dies. Mainly the submerged grass is the one that is healthy and good for livestock grazing, as opposed with that which surfaces above water,” said Shiningayamwe.
State Veterinarian Johannes Iipinge said the effects of the flood is further extended to breeding multiple diseases, such as Anaplasmosis, foodlot, sweating fewer and anthrax, among other common diseases.
“The common diseases we are experiencing is anaplasmosis which is transmitted by ticks and mainly affects the gallbladder. Whereas feedlot affects goats, leading them to limp because of the wet condition in which they graze. Another common disease is lumpy skin, which is caused by mosquitoes and ticks that come with the floodwaters,” said Iipinge.
He thus advised farmers to always vaccinate their livestock prior to the rainy season, and not consume livestock that dies from unknown causes because they might be infected by some of the waterborne diseases and may not be fit for human consumption.
