A two-day agriculture conservation validation workshop aimed at getting local farmers and stakeholders to develop a programme responsive to climate adaptation challenges was held in Otjiwarongo.
The workshop was conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and GIZ.
This is the last consultation workshop towards the finalisation of the Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme 2 for Namibia.
"Conservation Agriculture is highlighted in the 5th National Development Plan for Namibia (NDP 5): 2017-2022 and the MAWLR Strategic Plan 2017-2022, whereas 13 000 farmers were targeted to adopt at least one of the CA practises: minimum tillage, crop rotation, and organic soil cover. Moreover, the programme is in line with the 2014 Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Malabo declaration by African Heads of State, committing to achieve 25 million farmers adopting climate resilient production systems by 2025, so as to ensure food and nutrition security," said the Acting Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Erich Petrus.
Petrus added that the ministry is promoting conservation agriculture due to the country's arid conditions.
"Namibia is an arid country with varying and low rainfall, soil, and terrain conditions generally not conducive to conventional agriculture and food production. CA has been promoted as an entry point to Climate Smart Agriculture and has the potential to contribute towards mitigation of some of the climate change and food systems challenges in Namibia."
FAO Representative in Namibia, Qingyun Diao, says the organisation is pleased to be part of the collective efforts aimed at strengthening the sustainability and resilience of agriculture in Namibia.
"This ambitious initiative aimed to increase the application of Conservation Agriculture principles and practises among crop-growing farmers in Namibia. We recognised the urgent need to address climate-related risks and enhance the capacity of farmers to cope with the challenges of a changing climate."
Diao says this conservation agriculture programme complements the organization's action plan for the implementation of the FAO Strategy on Climate Change for the period 2022–2025.
"This Action Plan sets out a clear roadmap to guide our collective efforts in achieving the goals set forth in the Climate Change Strategy. It outlines specific actions, targets, and timelines, emphasising the importance of collaboration with member countries, international partners, and stakeholders to drive tangible outcomes."
The Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme was first launched in March 2015 as an initiative aimed at increasing the application of Conservation Agriculture principles and practises among crop-growing farmers in Namibia.