The Contribution of The Resettlement Program on Sustainable Livelihoods of Small-Scale Commercial Farmers in Mariental Rural Constituency of The Hardap Region, Namibia

ABSTRACT

At independence, Namibia was confronted with a skewed land tenure system where the minority-owned vast productive land (Juach et al., 2013). To avoid losing land to dominant locals and rich occupants the government established the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement to be responsible for the process of land reform and resettlement. As a result, the resettlement programme was established to assist in addressing social injustices and to improve the lives of those who are encircled by poverty. A resettlement programme is a developmental approach aimed at the alleviation of poverty and to uplift people’s livelihoods. This study investigated the contribution of Land Reform and Resettlement Programme (LRRP) on sustainable livelihoods of small-scale livestock commercial farmers in the Mariental Rural Constituency of Hardap Region. The study used a case study design of the qualitative approach to capture the reality of the small-scale livestock commercial farmers’ lived experiences of and thoughts about the resettlement programme, its intended purpose and benefits to them. The study revealed that the programme beneficiaries have managed to accumulate assets they did not have before they were resettled. The researcher assessed the lives of resettled farmers and remarkable improvement was observed and tangible assets were evident. In terms of natural assets, the study findings have shown that all beneficiaries have access to land to do their farming and improve their livelihoods. Despite these successes, the programme beneficiaries are faced with numerous challenges such as small farm sizes, drought and lack of sufficient rainfall, poor infrastructure and lack of knowledge, skills and post-settlement support. In light of these iii findings, beneficiaries suggested possible solutions that could have a role in strengthening their livelihoods at present and in the future. Pre and post settlement support, training and orientation are very important elements to the success of resettlement programmes in this country. Furthermore, financial support or start-up capital to buy livestock should be availed immediately after the resettlement process as this will enable the beneficiary to start farming immediately.