Omitara
Omitara residents are appreciative of the goats they received through the German-Namibia Special Initiative but they are unhappy that they have to dig into their pockets to buy medicines for their livestock.
Thanks to the Namibian-German Special Initiative Programme (NGSIP) most Omitara residents who received five goats in 2012, through the programme are now farmers in their own right. In addition, there has been an exponential increase in livestock since the distribution of goats to that community some three years ago.
Farmers who spoke to new Era recently said they are doing well with their livestock. However, they are not impressed that they have to fork out money for the maintenance of the livestock as they believe that is the responsibility of government.
“I was not having any goats before. But now I have 40 goats,” said 33-year Dominikes Ganeb.
“We are very grateful for the goats but we need help,” said 37-year old Alfred Nuseb. Nuseb’s goats have extended to 17 since 2012 when he received five goats.
Nuseb added: “We take care of the goats from our own pockets. We want government to help us with that and we also need a proper farm in order for the goats to graze properly. As you can see this is a settlement and grazing is not enough here,” Nuseb added.
Ganeb, who also shared his farming experience since he started three years ago said “It’s hard for us. We have been given goats but without any funds to sustain them”. He added that the community is sometimes forced to sell some of their livestock in order to buy medicines for the livestock.
“The medicines I use for my goats cost N$ 700 and up,” Ganeb said. In a year, he spends at least N$ 2000 for medicine for his livestock. The medicine is to boost the immunity of the goats and to keep them healthy, Ganeb explained.
“We are just helping each other. I share with three of my neighbours if they don’t have and when I don’t have they also give me,” said Ganeb.
On a positive note, the two men said the livestock are indeed a blessing. “The goats really help us because we can sell them and use the money for whatever problems we encounter,” said Ganeb.
The NGSIP aims to develop community-driven projects in areas that suffered under German colonial rule and which the German government considers a special moral and historical responsibility.