Some of the beneficiaries who received training on poultry production pose for a picture alongside officials from FAO and MAWLR. ©FAO/P. Tobias

Mariental, Namibia - A group of 16 participants comprising mainly of women and youth from the small farming settlement of Witkrans in the Hardap region recently received training on poultry farming as part of FAO’s poultry scheme project.

The two-day training, facilitated by agricultural extension personnel within the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) in the Hardap region, sought to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to undertake poultry farming.

In a bid to promote rural development and improve the diversification of rural livelihoods, FAO recently donated 100 Lohmann Brown layers, chicken feed and medication to the Witkrans community.

Thirst for knowledge

During the training, participants were taken through various key themes all aimed towards ensuring the production of quality eggs and meat. Some of the topics covered include breed selection, sourcing of chicks, good husbandry practices, as well as management and marketing.

The participants also received practical training on good poultry farming hygiene practises, and health and safety.

Fabian Boys, an Agricultural Extension Officer based in Hardap region, who led the training, expressed his satisfaction with the level of interest displayed by the beneficiaries.

“They [participants] were very keen on receiving the training and were taking notes and asking questions throughout - which is a sign that they have been thirsting for this kind of knowledge,” Boys noted.

Better nutrition

Meanwhile, Christina Isaaks (46), trainee participant and Witkrans resident, underscored that the support by FAO is positively contributing to the food and nutrition security situation in her community, in particular the local primary school.

“Because of this donation our children now have access to protein derived from the eggs which ensures their overall good health and wellbeing,” said Isaaks.

The primary school has close to 140 learners between the ages of 5 to 12.

A majority of the learners are from nearby commercial farms and villages where their parents work and reside.

“Most of the learners rely on the school’s hostel for their meals as their parents’ income are too low to be able to meet all their food and nutrition needs,” Gift Kamupingene, FAO National Project Coordinator, pointed out.

The FAO Representative in Namibia, Ms Farayi Zimudzi, also shared similar sentiments regarding the project.

“This project is one of the ways in which FAO is supporting the strengthening of local food systems through the diversification of rural livelihoods while improving the nutritional status of children and the community members at large.”

Better Life

Apart from contributing to a protein rich diet, the community’s poultry initiative also serves as a source of income for community members taking part in the project.

The project generates most of its revenue from the sale of surplus eggs to community members and nearby settlements such as Stampriet

According to Johanna Amakali, MAWLR’s Chief Agricultural Scientific Officer in Hardap region, most inhabitants in rural settlements such as Witkrans are eager for similar support to come their way.

“Many communities are eager to adopt new ways to improve their food security situation and reduce poverty,”

“A donation such as this goes a long way in removing the barrier to access resources so they can sustain themselves,” she said.

Cecil Peterson (25), a youth participant, noted how the training changed his perspective on poultry farming and acknowledged the potential it has to change his life for the better.

“Thanks to the training, today I discovered that poultry farming has the potential to be a great source of income for an unemployed youth such as myself,”

“I am now very eager to be actively involved in our community’s poultry initiative so I can gain enough skills and perhaps start my own poultry farm someday.”