Hope Farm Project celebrates one year in Erongo

USAKOS, 24 MAR (NAMPA) – The Hope Farm Project in the Erongo Region has expanded its livestock by nearly 100 per cent since its July 2025 launch, growing from an initial 630 animals to a herd of 1 248 as it enters its second phase.
The project, implemented through a partnership between the Swakop Uranium Foundation, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, the Erongo Regional Council and local cooperatives, was launched in July 2025.
It has so far distributed 1 008 goats and sheep to beneficiaries across the region.
Speaking at the official Phase 2 handover at Farm Daweb outside Usakos on Monday, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani said the project will now serve as a national model for the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6).
The minister said the project represents more than livestock distribution and is a practical demonstration of how partnerships can transform rural livelihoods.
Zaamwani noted that agriculture remains a bread-and-butter sector, stressing its central role in ensuring food security, reducing reliance on imports and enabling communities to produce what they consume.
“The success of the project reflects the government’s broader commitment to prioritising agriculture under NDP6, where it is positioned as a key driver of rural development, employment creation, poverty reduction and inclusive growth,” she said.
She further emphasised that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s Small Livestock Support Revolving Programme, which has supported hundreds of communal farmers across the country since its inception in 2009.
By deliberately targeting women, youth and underprivileged households, the project strengthens the foundation of the rural economy while ensuring inclusivity in national development efforts.
Zaamwani also underscored the importance of the project’s revolving model, under which beneficiaries are required to return a portion of livestock after two years to support new participants.
Swakop Uranium Chief Executive Officer Luo Wei said the initiative demonstrates the impact of public-private partnerships in addressing socio-economic challenges.
“This partnership exemplifies how stakeholders can unite to empower individuals, strengthen local economies and uplift communities,” he said.
Plans are underway to expand the initiative to other regions in 2026, with the Erongo project serving as a model for replication nationwide.
(NAMPA)
IB/AS