Members of the Mahahe Community Poultry Project in the Kavango West Region have expressed optimism that the government funding invested in their poultry project would yield tangible results.
Nine poultry farmers received N$35,000 in start-up capital in October 2025 from the Office of the Constituency Councillor.
The funds were used to purchase 50 chickens, fencing materials, and cement.
The farmers now sell live chickens, eggs, and organic fertiliser to local residents, contributing to food security and household income.
Project Chairperson Maria Haingura gave an overview of the project.
“For the past three months, we have been buying chickens from the community. We use our indigenous chickens, and after three months, we sell them. That is how we operate. As you can see, the women here decided to show our strength as mothers and improve our households. This is how far we have come, but this is not where we want to be. If we receive assistance, we will be able to reach our goal. Despite the challenges, we continue to put in the effort. We do not focus on the negative; instead, we work hard, clean, and do everything that is needed before going back home with hope. At the moment, the little we earn also assists members of the project. If someone is sick or has nothing to eat, we see how we can assist them so that they can regain their strength and continue participating in the project.”
Although the business has not yet reached its full potential, the farmers remain hopeful and committed to expanding the project, creating employment, and strengthening local food security.
The project currently has 21 chickens being prepared for laying eggs and five chickens available for sale.
Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo, who recently visited the project, expressed satisfaction with its progress.
“We want to see more of these types of projects. What I have learned is that our indigenous chickens can also be used to produce eggs. Perhaps this is where we can look at how project members can train others to do the same. We want to see similar projects in Ncamagoro and Nkurenkuru, where rural women can come together and establish projects of this nature. It is not a very complicated project, so we can have more of these types of projects in different constituencies. We are going to engage them further. Even if you look at the structure, I do not think it is really that costly. I will continue talking about unemployed youth so that we can engage some of them, train them and help them start their own projects.”
The governor pledged further assistance to expand the initiative to other constituencies, starting with the Kapako Constituency, as part of efforts to empower young people.