In 1992/93†
Namibia suffered its worst drought in living memory. This paper presents a case
study of coping with drought in the communal areas and freehold (commercial) farms of
Namibia, based largely on the experiences, information gained and lessons learned from that
drought. Some emphasis is put on considering the effects of drought on the rangelands, and
the options available to livestock keepers to contend with drought, but the majority of the
rural population of Namibia are agro-pastoralists, hence the implications for crop production
are also covered. The paper tracks the rather ad hoc pre-1992 drought relief practice to the
impact of, and responses to, the 1992/93 drought, to the formulation of a National Drought
Policy and Strategy in 1997. Finally, some policy issues and options are considered.