One local crop farmer from Epukiro in the Omaheke Region has urged others to stop working in isolation. 

Maria Kathora started her journey on a tiny patch of land back in 2001.

Today, her message is clear: the only way to satisfy market demand and secure large buyers is to unite, share knowledge, and pull together.

Kathora described rural farming as tough, saying she relies on a community borehole that yields water for just two hours a week. 

But while she successfully balances her crops and poultry activities , she believes the biggest missed opportunity is local growers working in isolation. 

To attract major markets, she explains farmers need to unite and align their harvests and supply as one unit to attract larger markets.

"For me, it will be better if 10 or 15 farmers in Motsweding can come together. And we decided, okay, let's grow this year, butternuts on a hectare. Then we will also have a market consistency, supply on markets, and then we can make money."

Currently, local retail markets do support farmers like Kathora, but the quantities they purchase are limited. 

She pointed out that large commercial transport trucks will not drive out to a rural area for just one farmer's harvest. 

By synchronising their planting, small-scale producers can guarantee the volume that large buyers expect.

"Because a truck will not only come for one farmer, but the truck will come for 10 farmers that has grown that has grown different variety of the same variety on one time. And it will be also easy for us to the market."

Access to resettlement farms often favours animal farmers who possess stock brand books, leaving crop farmers sidelined and struggling for land. 

Yet, Kathora's spirit remains unbroken. She openly shares her knowledge, urging those sitting on unused land to start planting crops or fodder.

"It's really not easy to do crop farming, but let us not sit back, and cry. Let us stand up, stand together and work together. And if you fail, it's not the end of the world. Just pick up and pull and always look for information, ask for training, ask for help."