Grazing conditions improve across Namibia

Late-season rainfall has brought a much-needed boost to vegetation and rangeland conditions across parts of Namibia, offering temporary relief to livestock farmers after the decline recorded in March.

Vegetation conditions at the end of April showed recovery in several central, north-central and southern regions, although conditions remain uneven across the country. The State of Namibian Rangelands report for April, indicates that areas that were previously dry in the central regions are now showing near-normal to greener conditions, indicating a delayed response to the late rains.

The report noted that parts of southern Namibia have also improved significantly, while northern and north-eastern areas remain relatively stable with mostly near-normal vegetation conditions and some localised improvements. However, the far western regions, including the coastal belt and nearby inland areas, continue to experience poor conditions with little sign of recovery.

According to the report, the improvement in vegetation is particularly important for Namibia’s livestock sector, which relies heavily on healthy rangelands for grazing. Livestock production in the country is almost entirely dependent on the productivity of natural grazing areas, which can decline drastically during periods of severe drought.

Juggling uncertain conditions - Rainfall variability remains one of the biggest challenges facing livestock farmers, who must constantly balance grazing availability with herd requirements while preventing further land degradation.

Although the late rains have improved grazing conditions in some regions, the report warned that land users should continue planning cautiously as the summer rainfall season comes to an end. Farmers in drier areas are being advised to assess available grazing carefully and prepare for potentially difficult conditions later in the dry season.

Concerns are also growing over the possible development of an El Niño weather pattern, which could lead to a later and more variable start to the next rainy season. Such conditions could increase pressure on already vulnerable rangelands if grazing management is not carefully monitored. The latest vegetation information is expected to assist authorities and farmers in identifying areas most at risk of drought towards the end of the dry season. This, in turn, could help guide early drought relief planning and support measures for affected communities and the agricultural sector.