4th Global Agenda of Action in Support of Sustainable Livestock DevelopmentSusanne Thalwitzer – 15-17 October 2013, Ottawa, Canada

CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN NAMIBIA

TOPICS

• BACKGROUND • BUSH ENCROACHMENT• ANIMAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT• SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS• STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

BACKGROUND– Surface 284,000 km2

– 60% desert or semi-desert– Population 2.01 million (58% in

urban areas)– Average annual income US$

4000,00 p.a.– 2nd highest Gini coefficient

BACKGROUND

• Largest industry sectors: mining, tourism and agriculture

• 70 % of population depend directly or indirectly from livestock production

• Subsistence farming• Commercial farming

Contribution of agriculture to GDP (%)

LIVESTOCK SPECIES & BREEDS

Cattle: 2.9 millionSheep: 2.5 millionGoats: 1.2 million

Source: Usda & Comtrade/Trademap 2011

MEAT EXPORTS

EXPORT ABATTOIRS

EU approved

RSA approved

MARKETS UTILISED BY MEATCO (2010)

GAME SPECIES

Hartebeest Zebra Kudu Oryx Springbok

Population 137 000 70 000 381 000 389 000 726 000

Off takes 119 000 129 000

BUSH ENCROACHMENT

- Overstocking - Droughts- Extinction of fires

Cause:

Problem:

- 26 million hectares affected

- Up to 18 000 bush per ha

- Harvesting yield up to 20

tonnes per hectare

BUSH ENCROACHMENT

- National Rangeland Management Strategy (2010)- Manual and chemical removal of bush- Changes in rangeland management practices (multispecies

systems, rotation and rest periods)- Subsidy schemes for bush reduction ?

Solutions

Challenges:

- Lack of funds- Lack of EIAs- Risks to biodiversity- Sustainable conversion into

energy

ANIMAL DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Movement restriction

FMD surveillance

FMD vaccination

Ban for meat export

Veterinary fences

ZAMBEZI REGION

• Agriculture and tourism major income generator

• 12 000 livestock owners/ 160,000 cattle

• Recurrent FMD outbreaks

• Wildlife – source of livestock infection

• 13 communal conservancies

• Part of Transfrontier conservation area (KAZA TFCA)

Integration of

HACCP &

COMMODITY BASED TRADEAPPROACH

IMPROVED CATTLE

MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY

“DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BEEF PRODUCTS FROM THE CAPRIVI”

“DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES FOR BEEF PRODUCTS FROM THE CAPRIVI”

• Market analysis

• Cost benefit analysis for different land use options

• Development of protocol for animal health and food safety

• Pilot project

• Capacity building for Veterinary Services

• Mentoring and training programs for farmers

• Strong collaboration with partners from agriculture and wildlife

conservation

• Risk assessment

• Review of FMD management practices

SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS

Causes:

• Rangeland capacity decreases – droughts, bush encroachment

• Rangeland quality decreases – overstocking• Wildlife - consumptive and non-consumptive use• Other land uses, such as eco tourism or hunting• Land reform• ‘Lifestyle farming”• GVN policies

SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS

Solutions:

• Implementation of National Rangeland Strategy• Commitment from GVN and other institutions• Training and education• Research• Local value addition• Multispecies systems• Improved production

FAN MEAT SCHEMEExample for Stakeholder Involvement

Meat Board of

Namibia

Directorate of

Veterinary Services

Communal Farmers

Commercial Farmers

LivestockAgents

Abattoirs Meat Processors

FAN MEAT STANDARDS

• Good Farming Practices

• Extensive Grazing

• Traceability

• Animal Welfare Standards

• No Growth Promoters

• No Ruminant Derived Proteins

• Predator Management

SUSTAINABLE

MANAGEMENT CALENDER

CONCLUSION

1. Integrated approach needed to address

challenges

2. Need for more research and information

required

3. Commitment from GVN and private sector

essential

THANK YOU !