Part-time farmer aims to become Brahman stud breeder

Part-time commercial Brahman breeder Viarinao Usurua believes Namibians should pursue farming because it is diverse and you can venture into any of its multiple aspects.

He farms on Orusuuo, located 40 kilometres south-east of Witvlei in the Omaheke Region.

According to Agribank, Usurua was introduced to farming by his father, who is an agricultural consultant and farmer, already at the age of five.

“Usurua would accompany his father to training sessions and watch him train commercial and urban communal farmers.”

By watching his father in action, he became passionate about farming and is currently studying animal production at the International Agricultural Academy for Africa.

“This is the perfect combination because I already have experience in some of the things I am studying,” Usurua said.

He is currently breeding Brahman cattle and aspires to be a Brahman stud breeder in the near future. He also farms with Boer goats and is pursuing his professional hunter’s licence.

Character-building

Usurua said his best and most memorable experience was when he started breeding his first generational Brahman bulls in 2015. He plans on auctioning off his first bulls next year.

On character-building, he said farming has significantly contributed to his self-discipline, humanity and patience.

According to Agribank, some of the farming challenges he has experienced include balancing his lifestyle as a youngster and the trips to the farm.

“I was pretty young when I started farming. I wanted to live my life, but farming took up much of my time. However, I do not see that as a challenge as I enjoy farming,” he said. He added that another challenge on the farm is dealing with predators.

He advised the youth to spend time conducting research before starting up farming projects, adding that they should never give up.