Namibia’s rangelands are showing clear signs of stress as vegetation conditions deteriorate across large parts of the country, raising fresh concerns for livestock production and drought preparedness.
By the end of March 2026, much of central, western, and southern Namibia experienced below-normal vegetation conditions, reflecting a marked decline from the strong greening observed earlier in the rainy season, according to the State of Rangelands report for March.
It said that this shift signals reduced plant growth and increasing moisture stress, particularly
in central-western and southern rangelands, where the situation is now most pronounced.
While northern and north-eastern regions continue to hold pockets of near-normal vegetation, these areas have also seen a noticeable weakening in greenness over recent weeks.
“The overall picture points to an uneven 2025/2026 rainy season, with inconsistent rainfall patterns limiting sustained vegetation recovery.”
The report said that recent showers in some parts of the country have provided a degree of relief, offering the potential for short-term improvements.
However, it is cautioned that follow-up rainfall and sufficient soil moisture retention will be critical to support any meaningful recovery in grazing conditions.
The stakes are high for Namibia’s agricultural sector.
Livestock production—one of the backbone industries of the country—relies almost entirely on natural rangeland productivity, according to the report.
It said that during severe drought conditions, this productivity can drop to near zero, placing immense pressure on farmers and rural economies.
The current variability in rainfall underscores the ongoing challenge for farmers: balancing livestock numbers with available forage while preventing long-term land degradation.
With the dry season approaching, the decline in vegetation serves as an early warning. Areas already showing significant stress, particularly in central, southern, and western Namibia, are likely to face the harshest conditions in the months ahead.
The report added that monitoring forage availability and livestock health will be essential, alongside proactive management strategies such as destocking, supplementary feeding, and water resource planning.
Importantly, this data also provides a critical window for action. Identifying the most affected regions now allows government agencies, farmers, and stakeholders to plan targeted drought relief interventions before conditions reach crisis levels.
The coming weeks will be decisive. Additional rainfall could still stabilise conditions in some areas—but without it, Namibia’s rangelands may continue on a downward trajectory, deepening the challenges for the country’s livestock sector and rural communities.
