Farmers from Kavango West acquire critical knowledge on cooperative farming and market access in Olushandja
On 13 February 2025, Honourable Sirkka Ausiku, Governor of Kavango West Region, led a delegation from the Kavango West Regional Council and selected horticultural farmers on a one day visit to Olushandja in Omusati Region, sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience. The visit, in line with the recommendations of the Kavango West Agriculture Conference that took place in November 2024, aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and expose farmers to best practices in horticulture.
Hon. Ausiku emphasized the importance of empowering small-scale farmers to transition into commercial agriculture:
“Small-scale farmers need to be supported so that they can graduate from subsistence farming into commercial farming, ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Kavango West has the potential to become Namibia’s breadbasket, and agriculture can play a key role in addressing poverty and unemployment in the region. We are grateful to FAO for sponsoring this visit and for their continued support to farmers in the region through resilience-building projects funded by the Government of Japan.”
During the visit, the farmers toured various horticulture farms in Omusati, gaining insights into efficient farming techniques, cooperative management, and market access strategies. Honourable Erginus Endjala, Governor of Omusati Region, who welcomed the delegation, underscored the significance of collaboration among farmers:
“It’s high time that small-scale farmers produce enough to compete with major retailers. I encourage farmers to form cooperatives, such as the Olushandja Horticulture Farmers’ Cooperative, and find ways to create markets for their produce. Initiatives like this between regions should happen more often, as they allow farmers to exchange ideas and create a food-secure future for Namibia.”
Farmers who participated in the benchmarking visit expressed their satisfaction with the experience, highlighting the valuable lessons learned. Gottfried Haikera, a horticulture and poultry farmer from Tondoro village in Kavango West, shared how the visit opened his eyes to new ways of farming:
“I was particularly impressed by how the Olushandja farmers have properly organized themselves into a well-run cooperative. Their ability to market their produce and supply to various clients is something I hope to replicate in my own farming business.”
FAO funded the benchmarking visit as part of its commitment to building resilience and enhancing production in Namibia’s agricultural sector. Gift Kamupingene, FAO National Project Coordinator, highlighted the importance of such initiatives:
“At FAO, we believe that learning from successful farming models is key to strengthening agricultural production and improving food security. This visit was designed to expose farmers to practical, proven farming techniques that can be replicated in their own communities. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, we are empowering farmers to adapt to climate challenges, enhance productivity, and contribute to Namibia’s broader food security goals.”
The exposure visit was funded through the “Emergency response to enhance resilience and mitigate climate-induced impacts on livelihoods, food and nutrition security of the most vulnerable households in Namibia” project, that is fully funded by the Government of Japan.
Photo:©FAO Horticultural farmers from Kavango West during their visit to Olushandja in Omusati region. The visit, in line with the recommendations of the Kavango West Agriculture Conference that took place in November 2024, aimed to facilitate knowledge sharing and expose farmers to best practices in horticulture.
