Rediscovering The Black Diamond.Upgrading of Karakul for the communal farmers of Namibia.

Karakul farming has survived hard times of low prices and meager demand since the 1980s. In the southern communal areas of Namibia, as in the commercial areas, even the most devoted Karakul farmer had to diversify or even change to other commodities in order to survive financially. As a result Karakul sheep were, to a great extend, replaced by mutton sheep or goats or crossbreeds for meat production...READ MORE

Desert, arid and semi-arid regions make up 92 % of Namibia, while only 8 % of the country is characterised as …..READ MORE

Home - made multinutrient - Blocks for improved ruminant performance in the communal areas

There exists a problem of feed quantity and quality during the dry season in the North central Regions of Namibia. The forages are normally dry and contain very little protein and minerals. This leads to the deterioration of animal…READ MORE

Developing a tailor made Rangeland Management Plan

The management of rangeland has always been acknowledged as a very important precondition for a sustainable livestock production system. It is however, for various reasons , not so easily implemented in the southern communal areas of Namibia. Since 2001…..READ MORE

The Indigenouse cattle found in Namibia is known as Sangas. Four different types,called ecotypes, are distinguished…..READ MORE

The Arabian or one-humped camel (Camelus dromedaries; Family: Camelidae), also called the dromedary, occurs in the tropics and tropical-type climates where aridity and heat are two of the principle factors.....READ MORE

Farm Animal Genetic Resources is the term used to describe the domestic farm animals and their wild relatives, which are used for food production. For more than 12000 years they have been contributing to human needs for food and agricultural products….READ MORE

Indigenous pigs, Do they have a place?

The pig industry in Namibia is very small, with a total of approximately 40 000 pigs. As in most African countries, the largest portion of the pig population in Namibia consists of indigenous pigs....READ MORE

The Market for table ducks( meat Producers) is still increasing, while the numbers of layers(egg producers) are….READ MORE

Indigenous livestock represent a cost effective, environmental friendly means of producing quality products. Indigenous goats are valuable as they convert low quality plant materials into high quality protein. They also play a vital role as a source of proteins and income.....READ MORE

Pigs - Is a pig a pig?

No, a pig is not a pig, for over time breeds have been developed for specific purposes or traits. With the intensification of production the traditional grazing breeds have all but vanished, and were replaced by breeds or....READ MORE

Indigenous animals are in the lime light these days. Namibia’s indigenous animals also attract great interest from the commercial sectors of several countries....READ MORE

The Question is often asked:"What is the ideal size for a beef producing cow? There is no straight answer,for breeds differ in size…..READ MORE

Rabbits for meat in the Communal Areas?

In developing countries the average family comprises of 6 persons and one third of the families have a deficiency of vegetable and animal protein intake. In southern Namibia there is a large dependency on goats as the protein source…READ MORE

Karakul Black - Diamond?

The Karakul sheep is believed to be the oldest domestic sheep breed in the world. Karakul sheep was introduced and imported into Namibia during 1907 when the first consignment of seven ewes, two rams and three lambs, bred in Bukhara (Uzbekistan), were....READ MORE

Indeginous Chickens - The Wise choice

Approximately 17 million Hectares of rangeland is prone to bush encroachment in Namibia.This Large…..READ MORE

The Damara sheep - a Unique Heritage

The Damara sheep, which were confined to Kaokoland and Southern Angola where they survived through the ages, remained relatively free from the influences of other breeds of sheep..READ MORE

It is said four breeds of cattle, originating from Asia, entered Africa between 2000 BC and 700 AD from the north east. The group of cattle breeds known today as the Sangas…..READ MORE