Namibia continues to strengthen its drive towards food security, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform supporting farmers through various interventions.
One such initiative is the Dairy Value Chain Development Scheme, which seeks to transform small-scale dairy farmers into commercially viable producers.
The programme is currently being piloted in the Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Hardap, Oshikoto and Zambezi regions.
In Otjozondjupa, beneficiaries are receiving dairy cattle, feed, technical support, value-addition training and continuous extension services to improve milk production and market access.
Agricultural Technician Caroline Kazariua says the programme is empowering farmers to move beyond traditional milk production by embracing value addition and commercial dairy farming.
"As you have seen, they are doing more value addition, the yoghurt and everything. They are actually interested in moving from the traditional dairy that we know by adding value, or they would want to go to a modern site because they want to be competitive enough in the market, or they want to penetrate these formal markets."
Kazariua says continuous monitoring, practical training and exposure visits are equipping farmers with the skills needed to compete in formal markets while contributing to Namibia's long-term goal of dairy self-sufficiency.
One of the beneficiaries is Isaskar Uahoo from the area of Otjiwarongo.
"When you look at what we have been milking from traditional cattle, the milk is not sufficient to meet the community's demand or what is wanted in the market in Otjiwarongo or any location. So now that we have dairy cattle that we know are there to produce more milk, they actually have very good quality milk, and the quantity meets the demand. So, this is a huge assistance from the government."
Another beneficiary is Grace Kamapunga from Okakarara Constituency.
She, however, says transport, milking equipment and adequate cold storage remain major challenges.
"I need assistance with where I can store the milk because the milk cannot be exposed to sunlight."
Through the Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme, emerging poultry farmers are also receiving assistance to improve production and expand their businesses.
Welma Gawases is one of them.
"It really did change because, as an individual, also, how you are on a mental basis also means there's something that you're looking forward to. And feeding your family, we are feeding our family through the sales. And again, they are also off – not off like eggs, rejects. So we take rejects, and then you are feeding rejects to your family, maybe just a crack or maybe something in them; those are the rejects.
The Dairy and Poultry Value Chain Development Schemes form part of the government's broader efforts to improve food security, create jobs and promote sustainable livelihoods for rural communities.