Recurrent drought and locust outbreaks continue to impact smallholder farmers with agriculture-based livelihoods, making them vulnerable to food insecurity and undernutrition.

While nearly 70% of the Namibian population depends on agriculture, the 021 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report indicated that 26% of Namibia's population faces acute food insecurity.

30% of the population faced acute food insecurity during the period from December 2021 to March 2022. 

Swapo Party Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for concerted efforts to mitigate the drought situation experienced in some parts of the country due to low rainfall.

Speaking at the first Central Committee of the Swapo Party for this year, Nandi-Ndaitwah appealed to all regional coordinators and the nation at large to work in collaboration with the governors and councillors to see to it that whatever the government is making available to ease the drought situation and its impact must be done in the best interest of the people.

A number of people in Namibia are expected to experience food insecurity. The Kavango East Region alone fears for the livelihoods of about 15 000 households.

The youth have appealed to the government, development partners, and the private sector to redouble their efforts in enhancing food security and ensuring responsible utilisation of resources.

This request was made at the just-concluded inaugural National Youth Climate Change Summit and Namibia Local Conference of Youth in Windhoek.

Over one million people are said to be affected by food insecurity in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on communal farmers to commercialise the farming industry by transforming peasant farming into profit-oriented farming in order to contribute to and boost the country's economy.

Nandi Ndaitwah says it's through modern and resilient agriculture that the country will be able to address food insecurity and high unemployment.

She made these remarks when she officiated the Omaludi festival yesterday at Okongo in the Ohangwena Region.

The global weather predictions are forecasting the return of the adverse climatic phenomenon, El Nino, as of June.

A media statement by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) says these forecasted extreme weather events pose a high risk to world food security.

These weather extremes, coupled with conflicts and economic shocks, will escalate food insecurity in many countries around the world.