STAFF WRITER
Minister of Agriculture,Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani -Kamwi encouraged Namibian farmers to adopt sustainable methods that promote adaptability to reduce the effects of climate change on their output.
Speaking at the handover of small stock to farmers in the Erongo region through a Public Private Partnership Programme (PPP) on Friday with Swakop Uranium, Zaamwani-Kamwi said farmers need to adjust their farming methods to avoid incurring losses in instances when the rainfall is not consistent.
She said the effects of climate change are realistic in modern day and can have detrimental effects to the farming communities.
The PPP was launched at Project Hope in Usakos bankrolled by Swakopmund Uranium Foundation.
“ I must commend the Hope Farm Project launched by the Swakop Uranium Foundation because it follows a strong principle; livestock is given to selected farmers not as a handout, but as a tool for building income and creating independence. The revolving approach, where each farmer returns livestock to support others, ensures that this is a growing and multiplying effort, not a one-time act,” she said.
Zaamwani-Kamwi added that , “We are proud to partner with the Swakop Uranium Foundation, the Office of the Governor of the Erongo Regional Office and the Erongo Regional Council in making this a reality.
Together, we are ensuring that beneficiaries not only receive livestock, but also the necessary training, veterinary support, and follow-up monitoring to make sure they succeed.”
The programme aims to enhance food and nutrition security while providing a sustainable source of income by supplying high-quality, locally adapted core breeding flocks of goats and sheep.
According to Zaamwani -Kamwi the project has also been adopted in several regions.
“To date, a total of 779 farmers have been supported, receiving 15,580 ewes and 779 rams since the Programme inception.In the 2024/2025 financial year, the Programme received an allocation of N$6 million. As a result, 840 goats were distributed to 40 farmers, 20 in the Otjozondjupa Region and 20 in the Omaheke Region. For this current financial year, N$4 million has been allocated, targeting 40 farmers in the Erongo and Omusati regions,” she said.
She said in total the farmers will receive 800 ewes and 40 rams, marking the beginning of the programme’s second round which will benefit all 14 regions
COMMENTS