By: Lilja Uupindi
Livestock farming is a cornerstone of Namibia’s agricultural sector, providing food, employment, and income for many rural communities.
However, with erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and the increasing pressure on natural grazing lands, sustainable livestock production has become a major challenge.
To address these issues, the integration of irrigated pasture and effective rangeland management practices, aligned with GIZ’s objectives of climate resilience and sustainable resource use, is crucial for ensuring long-term fodder availability and enhancing productivity.
The Need for Irrigated Pasture
Namibia’s predominantly arid and semi-arid climate limits the growth of natural pastures, making livestock production highly vulnerable to drought.
Irrigated pastures offer a reliable alternative by ensuring year-round fodder availability, reducing dependency on overgrazed rangelands, and improving livestock nutrition. Well-managed irrigated pastures can significantly boost meat and milk production while stabilizing incomes for farmers.
Several grass species and leguminous forages, such as Blue buffalo grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), and Lucerne (Medicago sativa), have been successfully cultivated under irrigation in Namibia. These species provide high nutritional value, enhance soil fertility, and contribute to improved livestock weight gain and productivity.
Best Practices for Rangeland Management
While irrigated pasture provides an alternative fodder source, proper rangeland management remains essential for maintaining ecological balance and preventing land degradation.
Sustainable rangeland management involves rotational grazing, controlled stocking rates, and the restoration of degraded lands through reseeding and erosion control measures.
Farmers are encouraged to adopt holistic management strategies that include:
- Rotational Grazing: Moving livestock systematically across different grazing areas allows vegetation to recover and prevents overgrazing.
- Water Point Distribution: Placing water sources strategically helps control grazing pressure and minimises land degradation in specific areas.
- Drought Preparedness: Storing excess fodder during good rainfall years ensures feed availability during droughts.
- Invasive Species Control: Managing bush encroachment and invasive plants maintains biodiversity and pasture productivity.
- Supplementary Feeding: Establishing fodder banks with drought-resistant species, such as Mopane leaves and silage, ensures an alternative feed source during dry periods.
Drought Mitigation through Irrigated Pastures and Rangeland Management
Drought remains one of the biggest threats to Namibia’s agricultural sector. Integrating drought mitigation strategies with irrigated pastures and sustainable rangeland management is essential for resilience. Key approaches include:
Drought-Tolerant Forage Production: Growing drought-resistant forage crops ensures continuous fodder supply even in dry conditions.
Water Harvesting and Storage: Constructing reservoirs and water-harvesting systems helps secure water for irrigation and livestock use.
Soil Moisture Conservation: Using mulch and conservation tillage improves soil water retention, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
Early Warning Systems: Farmers must be equipped with climate data and drought prediction tools to prepare adequately.
Integrating Irrigated Pastures and Rangeland Management
A well-balanced livestock production system integrates irrigated pasture with sustainable rangeland use. Farmers who adopt both strategies can mitigate climate risks, enhance livestock productivity, and sustain their operations even during harsh climatic conditions.
Government support, training programs, and research initiatives—such as those facilitated by GIZ—play a vital role in equipping farmers with the knowledge and resources needed for implementation.
As climate variability continues to pose challenges, Namibia’s agricultural sector must embrace forward-thinking approaches such as irrigated pasture development and responsible rangeland management.
By doing so, farmers can build resilience, secure their livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s food security and economic stability.
Lilja Uupindi is an agricultural and livestock analyst. The views expressed herein are her own.
