The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially handed over eight agricultural food system sites to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform's extension services.

The handover ceremony took place at Marema Village in the Kavango East Region.

UNDP started the project in 2020 to respond to the pressing needs of food security and towards livelihood improvement in Namibia. 

The project targets Namibia's peri-urban communities through climate-smart agriculture production.

The project is funded by the people of Japan at a tune of N$35 million and implemented through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the UNDP.

The eight agricultural food system sites are Ongombo West in Khomas Region, Coenbelt in Kharas, Peter Nambezi Farming Project, and Uugongo Wamupanda community garden in Omusati, Omutumbirua community garden in Kunene, Ngatuvatere orphanage garden, Kalkfeld community garden in Otjozondjupa Region, and Kuwoko Kondja community garden in Kavango West Region. 

The beneficiaries received shade nets, renewable energy-powered boreholes, irrigation systems, agricultural inputs, and storage facilities.

At least 223 direct participants are beneficiaries from all eight sites, with 92 men and 131 being women. 

The Ambassador of Japan to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki, encouraged the farmers to bring the purpose of the project to reality.