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More goats for Karas farmers

More goats for Karas farmers

The life of Anna Katsao from Blouwest took a turn for the better in 2014 after she received ten goats as part of the Namibian German Special Initiative Programme (NGSIP). As a communal farmer, she had to rely on subsistence farming but this did not provide sufficient sustenance to feed her family.
After receiving the goats, the family’s situation began to improve and through the programme Katsao was able to provide better nutrition for her whole family.
Two years down the line the goats are grazing, growing and breeding and helping single women and vulnerable families in the rural South secure a source of income and a more nutritious diet.
After the first ten dairy goats Katsao started with, she received an additional ten ewes and one ram from the NGSIP and has managed to expand her business. She now owns tweny dairy goats that help her support her family.
During a recent inspection, Katsao said when she received her first goats, “I felt like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders.”
“Women in Blouwest do not believe in binding agreements anyway. Many of their husbands have abandoned their families, whether because of ill fate or simply because they gave up providing for their families” she lamented.
However, the biggest concern for Katsao is that the goats can not be slaughtered or sold during the breeding process and that the offspring should be given to other families to extend the reach of the programme.
“I keep these goats on a small piece of land from which I can get enough milk for my children and me. However, the big change will happen when we succeed in breeding more goats. That will change our life status,” she said with a twinkle in her eye. “I wish we could keep these goats,” she said.
“I sell the milk I get from the goats and make a handsome profit,” Katsao said. “People like goat milk because its nutritional value is high. I milk the goats twice a day, early in the morning and at night. I also sell baby goats to make additional money” she said.
She plans to continue expanding her dairy business. She wants to ensure that all her children are able to receive a good education in the hope that they will find good jobs.

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