CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia’s four recognised farmers’ unions have launched a joint national campaign to strengthen the country’s preparedness against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), while unveiling an industry-backed support fund that has already secured more than N$12 million in pledges towards a N$50 million target.
The campaign, launched in Windhoek under the theme “One Nation. One Herd. One Responsibility,” brings together the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU), the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU), the Namibia Emerging Commercial Farmers Union (NECFU) and the Previously Disadvantaged Namibian Farmers Union (PDNFU) in a coordinated effort to support government measures aimed at preventing an FMD outbreak.
The initiative comes as concerns grow over the spread of FMD in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, despite Namibia maintaining its World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-recognised FMD-free status without vaccination south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
Speaking on behalf of the four unions, Ndahafa Nghifindaka of NECFU said the campaign reflects the recognition that FMD poses a threat to all livestock producers regardless of farming system or location.
“Foot-and-Mouth Disease does not distinguish between communal and commercial farmers, regions, ethnicities, production systems or organisations,” he said.
Namibia’s livestock industry contributes billions of dollars to the economy, supports thousands of rural livelihoods and underpins value chains spanning meat processing, transport, retail, exports and agricultural services.
NAU representative Thinus Pretorius said the four unions deliberately chose collaboration over separate responses, arguing that no single organisation, producer or government institution can protect the livestock sector on its own.
A key outcome of the partnership is the establishment of the FMD Support Fund, an independently governed Section 21 company established to mobilise private-sector funding for FMD preparedness and prevention initiatives.
NNFU representative Adolf Muremi said the fund is designed to complement, rather than replace, government funding and veterinary services.
The fund, officially launched earlier this year by Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani, will finance projects related to disease preparedness, prevention, awareness campaigns, communication and response readiness in line with the national FMD strategy.
Muremi said the fund has already attracted pledges exceeding N$12 million from farmers’ unions, agribusinesses, financial institutions and industry partners.
“Our target is to raise N$50 million to support government Foot-and-Mouth Disease prevention and preparedness efforts,” he said.
Closing the event, PDNFU representative Jane Kuhanga urged livestock producers to strengthen biosecurity on their farms, comply with animal identification and movement regulations, and immediately report any suspected signs of FMD to State Veterinary Offices.
