Recent Changes in Communal Livestock Farming in North-Western Namibia with Special Reference to the Rapid Spread of Livestock Auctions and Mobile Phones

Abstract

Commercialization of livestock farming has increased rapidly among communal farmers in north-western Namibia over the past 4 to 5 years. The livestock auction system allows local people to make decisions regarding the sale of their livestock according to the price offered and their household’s demand for cash. The availability of cash income has established their livelihoods and allowed them to purchase luxury items. The availability of cash income has stabilized their livelihoods and allowed them to purchase luxury items. However, not everyone has taken advantage of this situation. The introduction of the auction system in the study area, the increase in income, and the increasing income gap in the study area all occurred in the context of this evolving national situation. This study also observed that use of mobile phones has rigidly increased since 2006 in rural areas. Today, more than one person in each household in the study area owns a mobile phone. People typically use mobile phones to communicate with their relatives or friends in towns but they have also utilized them in tasks relating to livestock farming such as checking prices at auctions before participating and/or looking for buyers when they need to sell livestock. The utilization of mobile phones has also enabled people living in towns to herd livestock in rural areas, the so-called mobile farmers. Mobile farmers, who direct employed herders with their phones, have been increasing in the study area in recent years. The introduction of livestock auction and the rapid spread of mobile phones have contributed to an expansion in commercialization and the diversification of the sector. As a result, these recent changes to livestock herding may impact the utilization of natural resources.