Lylie Joel 

SINGURUVE – A determined farmer in the Kavango West region is working to transform food production in his community through the expansion of his agricultural project, despite significant challenges relating to water and access to funding. 

Thomas Hausiku, owner of Nanzamba Mixed Farming at Singuruve village in the Ncuncuni constituency, is expanding his operations from a small-scale vegetable garden into a diversified farming enterprise. 

The project, which receives support from the Kavango West Regional Council in the form of equipment, primarily produces cabbage, but Hausiku has ambitious plans for growth. 

The farmer is clearing six hectares of land to accommodate different types of vegetables, while his existing field will be converted to maize production. 

“I want to change. I want to divert all these on that side. Here I want to do maize cropping, there tomatoes, cabbage and sweet potatoes,” Hausiku explained, while pointing to his planned expansion areas during a recent visit by Nampa. 

His plans also include adding small livestock to create a truly mixed farming operation. Hausiku’s motivation stems from addressing local food security challenges. 

“For now, I only plant these products, but I want to make it bigger. I want to plant watermelons as well, because here we only buy from town. If not that, then we wait for the rainy season, but sometimes it doesn’t work out,” he said. 

Despite the promising expansion plans, Nanzamba Mixed Farming faces significant obstacles. Water shortages have been a persistent challenge, forcing Hausiku to scale back operations at times. 

“I couldn’t get a good yield because there was no water, so I stopped for a bit and worked on a smaller scale, just on a small portion until the end of last year. I drilled a borehole, and that’s when I started again. Now I’m picking up, and I know things will go well,” Hausiku said. 

The drilling of a new borehole has provided some relief, allowing him to resume full-scale operations. However, financial constraints remain a major hurdle to achieving his expansion goals. 

“Everything comes from the pocket; one needs money and it is not easy. I am aiming to fence this two-hectare area so I can start more production, but I will reach a limit because there’s no money, and I’ll still be stuck. I can clear the land and show people that I’m busy, but I won’t be able to grow anything,” he acknowledged. 

Beyond food production, Nanzamba Mixed Farming serves as an important source of employment and skills development in the community. The project employs 11 people on both casual and voluntary basis. 

“They are working here just to learn and get experience so they can start their own garden also,” Hausiku said. 

The farmer has implemented a profit-sharing system that ensures workers benefit from the project’s success while gaining valuable agricultural experience. 

“Whatever we sell, a certain percentage goes to them, so they are also in control of anything that comes from here. The reason is they should know how much we sold, and when we calculate that percentage, they should know how much they will get,” he said. 

This approach not only provides immediate employment but also equips community members with the skills and knowledge needed to start their own agricultural ventu res, potentially multiplying the project’s impact on local food security and economic development. 

One of the volunteers, Maria Sikongo, said she feels motivated to be working on the Nanzamba Mixed Farming project. 

“I am not only getting experience, but I also feel proud that I can produce food for people in my community and feed my family. With the little I get whenever we sell our products, I can still provide for my four children,” said Sikongo. 

The Kavango West region continues to support agricultural initiatives such as the Nanzamba Mixed Farming project as part of broader efforts to enhance food security and create sustainable employment opportunities for local communities. – Nampa