Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said Namibia can only achieve food security and improved nutrition if it engages in agricultural activities with a commitment to increasing food production.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks during her visit to the Tsumkwe integrated community-based food systems project on Friday, saying currently, Namibia is considered to be an importer of food.
With holistic approaches the country can however become an exporter of food and other agricultural products, she stated.
“What is always considered a challenge Namibia faces in the area of food production is water. We must know Namibia is part of Africa and Africa has enough water that can be shared throughout the continent. We are in a good position to benefit from the available water in the Congo River in DRC,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
The purpose of the deputy prime minister’s visit was to assess the progress of the project, which was launched in August last year.
“I want Tsumkwe to be one of the centres of food production in this country and nothing should stop us. Namibia is prone to drought and projects of this nature will enable us to mitigate the impact of drought,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
She further noted that for the project to yield the desired results, the Otjozondjupa Region leadership and the community of Tsumkwe should hold hands and closely follow its implementation, noting that the generous support received from the project sponsors should not go to waste.
“Food security is a right, therefore I urge everyone who is involved in this project to play their part. This is your project and I believe that women and those from the previously disadvantaged groups are part of the project. If not, they must be integrated,” she said.
The project is a partnership between the United Nations World Food Programme, the African group of ambassadors and the embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil.
It is aimed at enhancing inclusiveness and ensuring economic and social inclusion for local participants, including smallholder farmers and women, whilst minimising negative environmental impacts and strengthening resilience against future climatic shocks.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
