Kavango west: Kavango West is set to transform its agricultural landscape through an ambitious food security initiative targeting individual household productivity, Governor Verna Sinimbo announced on Monday.
According to Namibia Press Agency, during a live Government Information Centre (GIC) discussion from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Nkurenkuru, Governor Sinimbo discussed preparations for the World Food Day event. She stated, "Each household in Kavango West must have at least two fruit trees and a vegetable garden," underscoring a practical approach to combating regional food insecurity. The region, which is 91 percent rural, faces significant agricultural challenges, including sporadic rainfall and limited farming infrastructure.
The governor outlined a multi-pronged strategy focusing on backyard gardening, climate-smart agriculture, and youth engagement. She stressed the importance of youth involvement, urging young people to view agriculture as a viable career path with significant economic potential. "Agriculture is not just for our parents and grandparents anymore. Young people must see it as a business opportunity," Sinimbo emphasized, noting the emergence of millionaires from agricultural businesses.
The key initiatives include partnering with government ministries to provide smallholder farmers with fertilizers, training, and market access. The region aims to diversify agricultural production by encouraging farmers to combine livestock and crop production. Infrastructure development remains critical, with Sinimbo highlighting limited water access, poor road networks, and inadequate financial services as primary obstacles to agricultural growth.
Governor Sinimbo stated, "We cannot expect different results by continuing traditional approaches. Our region needs targeted development programmes that close infrastructural gaps and create economic opportunities." She emphasized the region's fertile land, water resources, and most importantly, its innovative and determined people, as crucial elements for transforming agricultural challenges into opportunities for regional economic development.
The World Food Day event, scheduled to be hosted in the Ncamagoro Constituency on 25 October 2025, symbolizes the region's commitment to transforming agricultural challenges into growth opportunities.