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Cheetah conservation leads Omaheke food security project

MILK FOR STRENGTH … A child at Cheetah Conservation Fund enjoys a glass of milk from the organisation’s Dancing Goat Creamery, operating as part of a model farm where predator-friendly livestock management techniques and livelihood development coursework is offered. Photo: Contributed

The Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is expanding its mission to address child malnutrition in the Omaheke region.

The fund is collaborating with Omaheke governor Pio Nganate in helping to pioneer sustainable agricultural solutions through a goat farming dairy.

According to a media statement released by the CCF on Wednesday, the project has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving nutrition and empowering local communities.

The CCF says it has delivered 20 female dairy goats and one male goat to the governor’s team on 16 January.

The goats, the fund says, were transported in a vehicle sponsored by Toyota, with the slogan ‘Feeding the Region’ on it.

“To further support this effort, the CCF plans to provide a livestock guarding dog from its renowned programme to ensure the success and sustainability of the diary farms.

“Additionally, three greenhouses, a piggery, 200 chickens and rabbits have been introduced to enhance the region’s capacity for self-sufficient food production,” the fund says.

The collaboration began last August when governor Nganate, who was inspired by radio reports on CCF’s success, reached out to CCF executive director and founder Laurie Marker.

Having recognised the programme’s potential to address severe malnutrition in the Omaheke region, Nganate facilitated a visit to the fund’s headquarters last September, where 13 young farmers (mostly women) received hands-on training in diary farming.

These farmers are now ready to manage local diary farms that will bring fresh milk to their communities and reduce malnutrition.

The CCF says one of the initiative’s first achievements was the supply of fresh milk to a soup kitchen at Gobabis.

A total of 269 malnutrition cases and 23 deaths were recorded in the Omaheke region from May to July last year.

“The mission is clear: We must do everything in our power to ensure no child goes hungry or suffers from malnutrition in this region,” Nganate was quoted as saying during a recent visit to a local soup kitchen.

He said through this partnership and with the support of local farmers, they are providing immediate relief while building the foundation for long-term, self-sustaining food production systems at farm Nuwe Hoop.

Marker says the CCF’s goal is not only to provide aid, but also to help the people of the Omaheke region to build a future where they can sustain themselves.

Currently, 28 daycare centres in the Omaheke region provide meals to vulnerable children.

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