Plant productivity remains critically low in the far west and south (AGRIMONITOR)
Plant productivity across many central parts in Namibia has improved since January, but is still critically dry in the far west and south.
According to the 'State of the Namibian Rangelands’ report at the end of February very dry conditions persist, especially in the Karas Region and western parts of the Erongo, Kunene, and southern Omaheke regions.
It said that rangeland conditions improved somewhat in southern parts of the Omusati Region, large parts of the Khomas and Hardap regions, eastern parts of Omaheke and isolated parts of Otjozondjupa.
“Rangeland conditions in the Etosha National Park are currently above average, as well as in the rest of the Oshana Region.”
According to the report, it is important to monitor the status of rangelands because livestock production in Namibia is almost entirely dependent on the productivity of its rangelands, which may plummet to near zero during severe droughts.
The key component of the early warning system is based on freely available remote sensing technology that measures active vegetation growth across Namibia in near real time, he said. Therefore, comparing current vegetation activity patterns with the 11-year average for the same area during the same time of year provides an objective view of the rangeland status.
According to the 'State of the Namibian Rangelands’ report at the end of February very dry conditions persist, especially in the Karas Region and western parts of the Erongo, Kunene, and southern Omaheke regions.
It said that rangeland conditions improved somewhat in southern parts of the Omusati Region, large parts of the Khomas and Hardap regions, eastern parts of Omaheke and isolated parts of Otjozondjupa.
“Rangeland conditions in the Etosha National Park are currently above average, as well as in the rest of the Oshana Region.”
According to the report, it is important to monitor the status of rangelands because livestock production in Namibia is almost entirely dependent on the productivity of its rangelands, which may plummet to near zero during severe droughts.
The key component of the early warning system is based on freely available remote sensing technology that measures active vegetation growth across Namibia in near real time, he said. Therefore, comparing current vegetation activity patterns with the 11-year average for the same area during the same time of year provides an objective view of the rangeland status.
