TSUMKWE, JAN 30 – Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has lauded efforts being made at the Tsumkwe Integrated Community-Based Food Systems Project, and believes that such projects are critical in ensuring food reserves are not depleted during times of drought. “Namibia is prone to drought and projects of this nature will enabling us to mitigate the impact of drought in Namibia”
Speaking during a recent visit of the project, she said it had always been of importance to reflect on transformation of food systems with specific reference to attainment of Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030, with particular reference to SDG 1 addressing Zero Poverty, and SDG 2, addressing Zero Hunger.
Six months after the launch of this project on the 8th of August 2021, and Nandi-Ndaitwah believes that nothing can stop Tsumkwe to be one of the centres of food production in the country.
“I wish to applaud the collaboration between the World Food Programme (WFP), Otjozondjupa Regional Council and Tsumkwe Constituency in promoting this project since inception last year. This initiative, which is sponsored by the African Group of Ambassadors and the Embassy of the Federative Republic of Brazil, is a flagship of WFP’s three pillars approach; Food Systems, Rural Transformation and Human Capital, which is well aligned to our national priorities in addressing poverty, food and nutritional insecurity through increased availability of diversified food and maximized dietary and micronutrients intake to achieve optional nutrition for especially pregnant and lactating mothers, and the Community at large. This project must be a national pride and that is what I am looking for.”
She added that some interventions are expected to improve agricultural production, boost the local economy, and create a long-term pathway to self-sufficiency, but it was a multi-pronged and would also contribute significantly to achieving Vision 2030 and thereby realizing sustainable Development Goal 2 of Ending hunger, achieve food security, improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture in the country.
Said Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation: “For this project to yield the desired results, the Otjozondjupa Regional leadership together with the community of Tsumkwe should hold hands and closely follow its implementation. The generous support received from the project sponsors should not go to waste.”
During the launch of the project in August 2021, she pointed out that food security is a right, and on that basis she urged those involved to own the project and play their respective roles.
“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. We can only achieve food security and improved nutrition when we engage in agricultural activities with a commitment to increase food production, and it is possible.”
Currently, Namibia is considered to be an importer of food, and the Deputy Prime Minister also believes that with good holistic approaches, Namibia can become an exporter of food and other agricultural products despite challenges that are faced.
“What is always considered a challenge Namibia is facing in the area of food production is water. We must know Namibia is part of Africa and it is recorded that, Africa, has enough water that can be shared throughout the continent. Namibia we are in a better position to benefit from the available water, because between us and Congo River in DRC it is only Angola which is a friendly country. Which means we can benefit from the water in DRC. Cde. Dr. Sam Nujoma the Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation has a vision of getting water from DRC, I strongly believe it is the way to go and it is possible. In so doing we will not only solve the problem of food insecurity, but we will be able to grow our economy, create jobs and take our people out of poverty.” – musa@namibiadailynews.info
