(13) Sonnleiten Ranch Project, Namibia

The project location   A 4,640 ha. ranch at an elevation of about 2,400 metres, 40km east of Windhoek on the main B6 highway, and on the eastern slopes of low mountains in central Namibia. The problem   Traditional management system of large numbers of cattle in extensive paddocks for long periods resulted in soil erosion and reduced infiltration and seed germination in compacted crusting soils; Reduced livestock production due to low and declining carrying capacity of the range; Chronic parasite problems because of long grazing period in any given paddock; Degradation of vegetation cover and consequent loss of forage species; Bush encroachment; Failure of past approach of reducing herds to combat degradation; Declining productivity, and thus increasing debt;

The solution   An integrated approach to land management using holistic resource management principles; Division of the land into smaller paddocks, grazed for only two or three days at a time to avoid overgrazing, achieve even manuring and eliminate parasite problems; Keeping of mixed herds, to ensure year-round breeding; Cross breeding with indigenous Nguni cattle which by grouping together, help chip the soil; Agro-chemical free operations to improve the overall environment; Reticulation of water from existing boreholes to serve the intensive grazing system; Controlling soil erosion e.g. by gully stopping.

Project achievements   Increased cattle herd (300-700) by year round breeding; Improved soil structure, water infiltration and seed germination, because of concentrated hoof action in chipping the soil; Improved vegetation cover and diversity through reduced grazing pressure and enhanced growing conditions; Improved environment and biodiversity; Elimination of cattle parasites thus reducing labour demands and costs; Improved carrying capacity of land despite below normal rainfall in most years; Increased net farm income per hectare - by 200-1000 per cent. Overall achievements   Development and testing of a system which is easily replicable for commercial ranches in similar environments; Replication on neighbouring ranches; Creation of high level of awareness of HRM technologies through demonstrations of pasture and herd management; Use of some form of ‘ecological farming’ on most commercial farms; Interest created in potential of agricultural extension to communal grazing areas in Namibia. This private ranch project was implemented by the owners, Argo Rust family, with personal funds.