Livestock farmer Joppie Cloete has overcome challenges and achieved great success on a resettlement farm through hard work and ingenuity.

Speaking to nbc News in an interview, Cloete explains that he diversified his operations in response to the ongoing drought conditions across the country.

In 2008, the government resettled Cloete on a 4,200-hectare farm in the Hardap Region as part of its land reform program.

Despite being a traditional livestock farmer, Cloete ventured into new areas such as piggery, poultry, horticulture, hydroponics, and dairy farming.

"The best thing that happened to me was the 2019 drought, as it forced me to make plans and diversify. When there was no income from livestock, I turned to poultry, piggery, or dairy products. In the end, I made bales with akkerboom and mielie rice, which I put through a hammer mill and mixed with supplements to sustain the animals during the drought."

Transforming a traditional livestock farm with no infrastructure into a multifaceted farming business was a challenging task for Cloete.

"When we arrived on the farm, there was nothing. We had to improve everything ourselves, but funding was scarce."

Cloete praises the government's land reform program, which aims to empower previously disadvantaged Namibians.

He appreciates the assistance provided to resettled farmers, such as irrigation implements and rehabilitated water points.

Cloete suggests that the government should implement appropriate monitoring measures to prevent the deterioration of resettled farms.

"To be a farmer is hard work. You need passion and dedication. Just having a farm doesn't mean anything if you don't put in the effort. As long as you have soil and water, you can adapt and achieve positive results."

Cloete employs four people and supplies markets in Mariental and surrounding towns with his produce.

He plans to expand into new opportunities, such as breeding stud goats, after he retires.