With another severe drought anticipated for this year, the Director in the Directorate of Disaster Risk Management in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hellen Likando, says farmers should retain enough produce to safeguard household food security. 

Likando was speaking at a validation workshop on the National Disaster Risk Management Policy at Otjiwarongo. 

The warning comes as Namibia reviews its National Disaster Risk Management Policy of 2009 to strengthen the country's preparedness and response to disasters.

Likando urges farmers to store some of their harvest.

"We have been informed that the upcoming season may present challenges, so we mustn't sell all the Mahangu we have produced. Instead, we should retain some for our own use and only sell any surplus harvest. Additionally, we need to communicate with our communities about the importance of managing our grazing areas. If we decide to burn the grass to allow for wildfires, it will negatively impact our livestock."

Likando advised farmers to plant drought-tolerant seeds or crops that mature early, as rainfall is anticipated not to be sufficient.

Namibia received above-average rainfall in the last rainy season in all regions, resulting in good grazing conditions with water still sufficient. 

"We anticipate dry conditions for the coming season, which has the likelihood to affect the harvest season for next year, not this year, so if there's anybody hungry right now, it's not as a result of drought." 

The Agriculture Ministry has already started the rehabilitation of boreholes, as food distribution for now is not required.

The review seeks to address gaps in the existing policy, improve coordination and preparedness, and ensure that the country is better equipped to respond to emerging disaster risks.