22 Jan 2026

About 2 001 farmers have been assisted through Lemang Dijo programme in Okavango so far. However, the numbers of applications are increasing steadily.
In an interview, acting District Agricultural coordinator in Okavango, Mr Luther Ndjarakana said while farmers were given seeds equivalent to one hectare, they were free to plough more when they had the capability.
While he appreciated the uptake of the programme, he said they faced challenges such as Open Pollinated Variety seeds required and pests such as rats, which destroyed seedlings.
Lemang Dijo, a subsidy programme, launched last year to assist small scale farmers attain food security, offers draught power, seed supply, pesticides, threshing and shelling mechanical support and one beehive colony.
One of the beneficiaries, 57-year-old Mr Emang Opadile of Pelotsweu cattlepost near Gumare said he was always prepared to make use of government programmes aimed at supporting farmers.
He therefore did not hesitate to apply for Lemang Dijo programme once applications were opened for public and was assisted within a short period of time.
Since the programme only offered maize or beans seeds for a one hectare, Mr Opadile settled for beans seeds.
He appreciated government efforts but of the view that the number of hectares should be increased for some farmers like him who preferred to farm on a large scale.
Mr Opadile, however did not limit himself to the government assistance, hence he ploughed extra three hectares consisting of maize, sorghum, watermelon, groundnuts and makgomane.
He said he was able to plough on a large scale as he used his donkeys adding that he also ploughed for others at a fee.
Mr Opadile said he had previously benefited from programmes such as Temo Letlotlo for fencing his farm.
Going forward, his desire is to use some sales from his farm produce to erect solar powered fence around the farm to mitigate elephants’ destruction as well as to drill a borehole to explore vegetable production in the near future.
Farming, he said was something he learnt from his parents from a young age and had proven to be a source of living since he had gained many rewards such as purchasing a vehicle. ENDS