The Gainachas Development Cooperative has continued its long-standing tradition of supporting rural livestock farmers by handing over three goats to 20 of its members.

Rural farmers from the Berseba constituency founded the group 17 years ago, and it currently boasts 43 members.

In 2018, the cooperative successfully paid back a loan of N$552,000 to AgriBank. 

Despite facing challenges such as drought and the loss of members, the cooperative revamped its operations and continued to pursue farming activities.

The beneficiaries are required to return a pre-determined quantity of animals after a 12-month period for everyone to get a chance to improve their households' livelihoods and promote sustainable farming.

Paul Kahuika, the Chairperson of the Gainachas Development Co-operative, explained that "we are currently in the second stage; in 2027, the last 11 members of the cooperative will receive their three goats. In two years' time so far we managed to hand over 96 goat ewes only to the combined value of N$100,044."

The Chairperson of the ||Kharas Regional Council, Gerrit Witbooi, pledged support to the cooperative.

"As the member of the Aroab Small Farmers, we will sign a memorandum of understanding to help out with this cooperative."

The NBC news team spoke to one of the members, Martha Kuhanga, who said, "We are in an area that receives very little rain, so during the rainy season it does go very well. Those are the challenges we have. Sometimes there is a water issue at our farm; there is sometimes a water problem. In 2010, the cooperative gave each member 20 goats and one ram, and that is how they supported us."