The Erongo Governor says agriculture is one of Namibia's most important sectors, with around 70 percent of the country's population depending directly or indirectly on it for income and livelihood.

Neville Andre highlighted this during the handing over ceremony of 1 037 gardening tools, wheelchairs, and swinging machines to SMEs at Swakopmund.

Andre says the farmers would aid in the fight against malnutrition in all of its manifestations because it poses a serious threat to the country's socio-economic progress as well as the lives and health of individuals and communities.

As a result, he says there is a need to collaborate with local subsistence farmers to produce affordable and healthy food for household consumption.

He added that once the country imports fruits and vegetables, it exports employment too.

"I think that agriculture is a low-hanging fruit to ensure that we grow and change the livelihood of our people and of course as a country we have the land, we just need to work the land to produce what we are eating."

The governor also encouraged organizations, businesses, and individuals to help by donating wheelchairs to the region's 107 physically challenged residents.

Speaking at the event was also the town Mayor of Swakopmund, Dina Namubes.

" It is of vital importance that we are a leader with the assistance of our stakeholders to tackle the socio-economic challenges of our communities, the handing over of the gardening equipment and sewing machines is a commendable gesture as I am positive that it will aid towards the elevation of poverty or at list contribute in some ways. "

One of the recipients is Israel Kalume, 49, a wheelchair user for over 18 years after developing paraparesis as a result of TB about 17 years ago. 

Kalume says he has joined hundreds of marathon competitions and dreams of partaking in the paralympics.

" This has changed my life I can move like I want, I want to win it really I was born with the talent of sports."