Namibia’s agricultural sector is drawing valuable lessons from Kenya’s cooperative farming systems as policymakers, agribusiness leaders and farmers search for solutions to rural poverty, food insecurity and low agricultural productivity.

A recent visit by a Namibian agricultural delegation to Kenya highlighted how small-scale mixed farming and cooperative models are helping Kenyan farmers generate sustainable incomes through dairy, horticulture and value-added agricultural products.

The delegation toured farms in Gidunguri outside Nairobi, where Kenyan farmers demonstrated how integrated farming systems combining livestock, crops and processing can support household livelihoods even on relatively small landholdings.

The visit formed part of a presidential delegation to Kenya and included senior Namibian agricultural stakeholders such as Agribank Acting Chief Executive Officer Abel Akayombokwa, Kalahari Holdings Chief Executive Officer Etuna Nashima, Namibia’s honorary consul to Kenya Mwangi Ali, and officials from Namibia’s international relations and trade ministry.

At the centre of the discussions was Kenya’s zero-grazing dairy farming model, where farmers keep cows in confined spaces and feed them using fodder produced on the same farm. The approach allows households with just a few animals to participate meaningfully in commercial dairy production.

Kenyan farmer Susan Nungari, who hosted the delegation, operates a diversified farming enterprise that includes dairy cattle, avocados, bananas, coffee, maize, beans, poultry and rabbits. Her farm demonstrated how mixed agriculture can maximise land use, diversify income streams and reduce production risks.

According to the delegation, one of the most important lessons for Namibia was the strength of Kenya’s cooperative structures, where smallholder farmers aggregate milk through collection centres and gain access to larger markets.

Mwangi Ali explained that farmers with only one or two dairy cows can still earn reliable income because milk is collectively marketed through dairy cooperatives.

The Namibian delegation also observed how farmers are moving beyond primary production into value addition. Local women farmers showcased small-scale avocado oil production as a strategy to improve profitability amid low farmgate prices offered by brokers.

Ali noted that processing agricultural products locally allows farmers to retain more value while reducing dependence on imported consumer goods such as cooking oil.

For Namibia, where agriculture remains heavily dependent on livestock farming under extensive grazing systems, the Kenyan experience presented a different pathway for rural economic development.

Akayombokwa said Namibia’s traditional farming systems often require farmers to own large herds before achieving commercial viability, limiting participation for many rural households.

He said Kenya’s cooperative dairy systems demonstrated that even small-scale farmers could generate sustainable incomes if supported through aggregation, processing and market access structures.

The delegation also highlighted the importance of agricultural processing in increasing profitability. Rather than selling raw milk alone, Kenyan farmers are producing yoghurt, cheese and other dairy products that command higher prices and create additional employment opportunities.

The visit reinforced growing calls across Africa for stronger agricultural value chains, rural industrialisation and farmer cooperatives as governments seek to improve food security and reduce rural unemployment.

Nashima said integrated farming systems could help Namibian farmers improve soil fertility, reduce input costs and strengthen resilience against climate shocks.

He pointed to the use of livestock manure as organic compost in Kenya’s farming systems, which improves soil productivity while reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers.

Namibia continues to face recurring droughts, high production costs and low agricultural productivity in some rural regions, challenges that have intensified interest in more climate-resilient farming models.

The delegation said Kenya’s approach demonstrates how cooperation, value addition and diversified farming systems can strengthen rural economies while supporting food production.

However, Kenyan farmers also highlighted ongoing challenges facing smallholder agriculture, including theft, limited financing and infrastructure constraints.

Nungari described security challenges on her farm, where thieves regularly target avocados, bananas and coffee crops, illustrating the vulnerabilities many small farmers continue to face despite successful production systems.

Still, Namibian officials said the visit confirmed that properly supported small-scale farming can play a major role in economic development, employment creation and food security.

The experience is expected to influence future discussions around agricultural financing, cooperative development and rural industrialisation in Namibia as policymakers seek new strategies to expand participation in agriculture and strengthen domestic food systems.