Some 68,000 people in the Kunene Region have benefited from the IREMA Livestock Revolving Scheme Project, designed to boost household income and food security.

Implemented in Fransfontein, Sesfontein, and Warmquelle, the six-year initiative, valued at N$164 million, wrapped up last year.

IREMA Project Portfolio Manager Charity Sihope said beneficiaries aged 60 and under received 21 goats (one ram and 20 ewes). After three years, they return 20 ewes to pass on to others.

The project is a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform and the Environmental Investment Fund.

Beneficiaries from ||Gurus and Tsaurob Farm praised the scheme. Engrieth Heigen, who got goats in 2020, now owns over 100 after returning the required animals.

Engrieth Heigen, a farmer who benefited, said, "From those 20 goats I got, I doubled them to about 40, gave back for the next farmers, and now I have over 100. It's those goats that made me stand strong on the farm."

Sefth Murorua, who benefited in 2024 and now has 22 goats, added: "Challenges like drought, water shortages, and theft exist, but we manage. I'm very grateful for this project."

Murorua is yet to return goats to the scheme.