New Era

Perseveran­ce pays off for Otjozondju­pa farmers

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JEFTA AND MELANIE TJIRAMBA are part-time livestock farmers in Grootfonte­in, Otjozondju­pa region. They farm with cattle, goats, and sheep, and produce beef and mutton for small-scale markets. They do auctions as well.

The Tjirambas establishe­d Jefmel Farming in 2010 with only 10 heads of cattle (Simbras), 15 goats (Boer goats), and five sheep (crossbreed of Dorper and Van Rooy).

The couple came from a farming background and spent most of their childhood on the farm with their grandparen­ts.

“Each of us learned a lot from our grandparen­ts. We witnessed how farming contribute­s to the wellbeing of many people, such as financial stability, food aid, and our country’s economy. Our upbringing on the farm developed a passion for farming in us. Farming contribute­d positively towards our character building. It made us more patient, discipline­d, and self-sustainabl­e,” said Jefta.

Both of them are teachers which helps them to manage the farm during holidays and weekends.

However, their journey was not without challenges. They experience­d stock theft, predators attacking their livestock, and a few years of drought. Despite their challenges, the Tjirambas also had some best experience­s.

They highlighte­d their best experience­s when they recently introduced a white and red Brahman bulls to their Simbra herd. They look forward to their first offspring(s) in March next year.

In addition, they added a feedlot last year for their small-scale livestock, which yielded impressive results in reaching the target weight from 35kg to 45kg and better.

This has also helped them to minimise livestock loss to predators, especially baby goats.

“Seeing how the livestock has multiplied over the years brings us joy and motivates us to do better, and we look forward to the future,” Jefta noted.

He urged the youth to invest more in farming to reduce the unemployme­nt rate, noting that farming is a fun, exciting business that requires patience and hard work.

“Upcoming farmers should first conduct thorough research on what they want to farm with to avoid disappoint­ments or failed farming,” he advised. - Agribank

 ?? Photos: Contribute­d ?? Couple goals…Jeff and Melanie Tjiramba’s farming operation, which was started in 2010, continues to bear desired results and has been growing from strength to strength.
Photos: Contribute­d Couple goals…Jeff and Melanie Tjiramba’s farming operation, which was started in 2010, continues to bear desired results and has been growing from strength to strength.
 ?? ?? Production… Above, the Tjiramba family has managed to successful­ly increase their commercial goat operation over the years from humble beginnings. Left, The introducti­on of two new Brahman bulls to the Tjiramba family’s Simbra herd has raised optimism for improvemen­t of offspring.
Production… Above, the Tjiramba family has managed to successful­ly increase their commercial goat operation over the years from humble beginnings. Left, The introducti­on of two new Brahman bulls to the Tjiramba family’s Simbra herd has raised optimism for improvemen­t of offspring.

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