Mentorship programme motivates Hardap farmer

A farmer from the Hardap Region says Agribank’s mentorship programme gave him new insight into farming practices. Jonathan Afrikaner is a father of two and started is farming journey with his own father on Farm Kohereb in 2002.The duo managed to rear nearly 800 sheep and goats. However, they suffered severe losses following the drought in 2019. Desperate for help, Afrikaner decided to approach Agribank for an emerging retail financing product loan, which caters to full-time communal farmers with no collateral or employment. With the loan financing, Afrikaner purchased 50 goats and 20 sheep, bringing his total livestock numbers to 328.Motivated According to Agribank, Afrikaner joined the compulsory mentorship programme as part of the loan package. Afrikaner said his mentor motivated him to aspire for more knowledge in record-keeping, vaccinating and treating livestock, lick and seed supplementation as well as breeding and reproduction practices. He now keeps records of his livestock numbers, sales, lick and feeding supplements, and stores his records for planning and budgeting purposes. He added that the condition of his livestock has significantly improved as well as their reproduction performance as a result of implementing what he learnt. According to Agribank, Afrikaner now generates revenue from auctioning his livestock in Mariental two to three times per year, receiving about N$1 000 to N$1 600 per animal. Moreover, he is up to date with his loan repayments with the bank.Afrikaner said he aspires to own a commercial farm one day and encouraged others, especially the youth, to venture into farming. “Those not able to succeed in mainstream schooling should venture into farming to sustain their livelihoods,” he said.

Mentorship programme motivates Hardap farmer

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Republikein 2025-06-18

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Mentorship programme motivates Hardap farmer

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