Farmers taught to turn livestock into steady income

An agricultural project is transforming the lives of small-scale farmers in northern Namibia, helping them transition from subsistence to market-oriented farming, while instilling confidence and business skills that were once thought to be out of reach.The Northern Namibia Small-Scale Farmers’ Livelihood Enhancement Project (N-SHEP) is a six-year initiative launched in March 2021 through a partnership between Namibia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto regions. Significant progressThe project director, Ben Haraseb, says the farmers are being taught that “livestock is not a hobby” but an income generator for paying bills.Haraseb expressed satisfaction that there is significant progress during a recent visit to some of the farmers benefiting from the project. “The aim is to help farmers understand that they are not keeping livestock as a hobby, but change farmers’ mindsets from ‘produce and sell’ to ‘produce to sell’,” he said, adding that ultimately the approach promotes farming as a business. Haraseb emphasised that after going through this project, farmers learn that: “You don’t produce and then look for a market -you look for a market and then produce”.He said the SHEP approach began with horticulture, and Namibia is the first country to expand into livestock SHEP. He said this will be a building block for all other countries implementing the approach, allowing them to learn from Namibia and an opportunity for the country to make history.So far, 32 task force members and 244 farmers have been trained, with some selling livestock for the first time in their lives. The programme trains farmers in production and income analysis, livestock health management, and marketing strategies, empowering them to make informed sales decisions. Challenges and progressBut change has not come without challenges. Project coordinator Leevi Nekwaya said the SHEP project does not provide equipment to farmers to shift their mindsets away from expecting handouts and instead enrols those who are “willing and committed”. Climate, cultural traditions, and limited resources have also posed hurdles.For farmers like Nangolo Rehabeam of Oshikunde constituency, who joined the project in April 2024, the change has been life-altering. “Before, I didn’t know how to vaccinate or take care of my cattle. They would die due to the lack of knowledge on how to care for them properly,” he said. Now Rehabeam said he knows when an animal is sick, how to spot it out fast and get it the care it needs. “Even when the lumpy skin outbreak came, we were not in panic. We knew exactly what to do to save the animals. "Now, I can also market my cattle, sell, and use the money to take care of my children. I thank the project and the government for this opportunity,” he said. Rehabeam added that many farmers in his village and surrounding areas come to him for lessons, and he would appreciate an expansion of the project to include more farmers. PrideAt Oshikango, Kristofina Haimbodi beams with pride as she describes selling her second cow to a buyer she identified herself to. “I learned to dehorn cows for easier transport. I buy supplementary feed for drought seasons. Before, I kept animals only for weddings and funerals. Now I can sell and use the money for other needs.”Agricultural technicians, Kaino David and Daniel Shekuhungama, are at the heart of this transformation, guiding farmers through sales planning, feed management, and even castration and dehorning techniques. The project aims to expand into the Kavango East and West regions. - tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Farmers taught to turn livestock into steady income

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-30

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Farmers taught to turn livestock into steady income

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-30

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