The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform says it will invest a N$17.3 million contribution from Japan to expand its food production initiative with the establishment of eight new agricultural sites across the country.
Speaking at the official handover ceremony at the Kuwoko Kondja Agriculture site in Kavango West, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein said the project will be implemented in eight sites.
The sites include Ongombo West in the Khomas Region, Coenbelt in the //Kharas Region, the Peter Nambezi Farming project and Uugongo Wamupanda Community Garden in the Omusati Region, Omitumbirua Community Garden in the Kunene Region and Ngatuvatere Orphanage Garden, Kalkfeld community garden in Otjozondjupa.
“Through an additional US$1,039,000 the project was scaled up to eight sites being handed over today focused on supporting respective communities with capacities to produce their own food,” said Schlettwein.
He further explained that the eight new sites will build on the success of four previously established locations in Hardap, Erongo, Khomas, and Kavango East, launched in 2020 with initial funding of N$17.33 million (US$1,000,000) from Japan.
“We are pleased to announce that we are establishing one of the eight additional sites across the country since this work started in 2020. Back then four sites (Hardap, Erongo, Khomas and Kavango East) were established through support of the Government of Japan (US$1,000,000) and are still operational, addressing household food insecurity and improving livelihoods of communities,” he said.
He also said the project has already reached over 223 direct participants, 60% of whom are women, benefitting more than 557 additional household members.
The initiative includes the provision of critical infrastructure, such as shade nets, renewable energy-powered boreholes, irrigation systems, storage facilities, and agri-bikes to improve market access.
