Cunene: Seasonal movements by traditional livestock farmers to grazing areas in Cunene Province have decreased considerably following the opening of the Cafu Canal, King of Ombala ya Nalueque M¡rio Satipamba said on Tuesday. Speaking to ANGOP, the traditional authority said the operation of the infrastructure had reduced the hardship faced by pastoralist communities, which previously travelled long distances in search of pasture and water for their animals.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the king stressed that in previous years, families were disrupted as fathers and children were forced to move livestock more than 100 kilometres to protect the community's main economic asset. He recalled that in 2019, he had been forced to travel 145 kilometres from the headquarters of Ombala ya Nalueque to Chivemba, an area bordering Hula Province, in order to save his cattle. He noted that such a situation was now a thing of the past.
He added that the availability of water from the Cafu Canal had also led to abundant vegetation in the floodplains and more regular rainfall. 'These are benefits with an immeasurable social and economic impact and provide great relief to livestock farmers, as the constant movement of cattle is now a thing of the past,' he stressed.
Despite these benefits, Satipamba acknowledged that there were still localities between 50 and 70 kilometres from the Cafu Canal awaiting the construction of feeder channels linking the canal to surrounding communities, particularly in the municipalities of Cuanhama and Namacunde.
The king also highlighted improved access to vegetables and other agricultural products that were previously brought in from other provinces but are now produced locally, thereby diversifying a diet previously based mainly on meat and pearl millet porridge. According to Satipamba, families will gradually develop a culture of vegetable farming through interaction with more experienced farmers in irrigated agriculture.
He also expressed the hope that conditions would improve in other areas of Cuvelai, Mupa, Cafima, Nehone, Cuanhama, Cahama and Curoca municipalities, as part of the operation of the Ndue, Calucuve and Hita Hita (Cova do Leo) dams and associated canals.
Data from the Veterinary Services indicate that Cunene Province has an estimated cattle population of more than 1.25 million. Traditional livestock farmers account for 75 per cent of the herd, while commercial farmers own the remaining 25 per cent.
