The farming community in the Otjinene constituency of the Omaheke Region has called on law enforcement officers not to release stock theft suspects on bail and to ensure that they are given long prison sentences.

Stock theft threatens the livelihoods of already struggling local farming communities, who are already faced with the burden of drought.

The farming community's group spokesperson, Uaenena Zakaapi, says recently a farmer lost four cattle, and a month earlier another one was robbed of 25 small stock.

Despite facing several challenges highlighted during recent oversight visits by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to resettlement farms in the Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions, one farmer stood out, thanks to his resilient approach.

Johannes Damaseb, an award-winning farmer at Okorusu farm in the Otjozondjupa Region, has demonstrated remarkable progress and has become an inspiration to fellow beneficiaries of the government's resettlement programme.

Johannes Damaseb currently employs over 10 permanent and 60 seasonal workers.