Resettled farmers on Westfalen farm in Mariental Rural Constituency are struggling to produce enough maize for the past five years due to broken equipment and other challenges.

The government's resettlement program, not only aims at redressing the colonial injustices of land distribution, but also to improve the lives of displaced or dispossessed previously disadvantaged Namibians.

These farmers produce maize, tomatoes, green pepper and livestock, which they sell to local people and businesses at Rehoboth and surrounding areas.

Elias Nghidiwa who depends on cultivating maize as his main source of income shares some of the challenges, which impact their productivity at the farm,

"In the beginning, we were working without difficulties, until the tractor broke down five years ago, and it is not yet fixed to this day. However, we are trying to plow the traditional Oshiwambo way with hoes. We had several visits by representatives from the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Agriculture, but they only took photos and promised tomorrow for the past five years. We are struggling and we kindly ask for assistance."

This is the only tractor at the farm and now it has a steering problem and they do not have replacement parts.

"We are now in the green pepper field and we will also plant over there once the tractor is fixed for us to succeed. The irrigation pipes are also cracked and we struggle to keep them working by a tie with rubber. There is no other option because the money we make is not even enough to buy all those items and parts."

Aging water infrastructure is another challenge, as well as new farmers whom they accused of damaging fences and stealing livestock.

"We started off well with our livestock but when they brought in other people, they started stealing our livestock. Just imagine, we are already resettled, but after some time we see a group of new settlers in our cattle posts stealing. Intentionally they were only brought in to stay for three months while awaiting resettlement and they refuse to move. They also come and steal from our garden. The government did not address the challenges but only write letters and threw them away.

The farmers are now appealing to the government to come to their rescue by fixing the tractor or buying a new one, as promised.